Challenging M.D. Authority and Utilization Behavior. Executive Summary

摘要

This study aimed to assess the extent of consumerism in medicine, in terms of challenges to physician authority, and its effect on rates of utilization of physician services. The study differs from earlier utilization research in including challenge of physician authority as explanatory and in employing seven types of utilization differentiated by purpose for physician contact rather than a global measure. Findings from a national probability sample (N = 1,509) confirm the existence of consumerism in medicine, and indicate its extent has increased in the past two years. However, with the exception of a minor impact on the frequency of visits for asymptomatic checkups, tests, or shots, consumerism made little difference with respect to utilization behavior. The role of health knowledge in overutilization and underutilization for common complaints is explored. The major policy implication is that contemporary consumerism is unlikely to reduce health system overload in the event national health insurance minimizes financial barriers to care.