Ecology of medical care in a publicly funded health care system: A registry study in Sweden

Abstract Objective. To explore the influence of sociodemographic factors on access to appointments with physicians in primary, secondary, and tertiary health care in a publicly funded health care system. Design. A population-based registry study. Setting. Different health care settings in Västernorrland county, Sweden. Subjects. All residents in the county at the end of 2006. Main outcome measures. The number of people per 1000 residents who had at least one appointment with a physician in an average month in different health care settings. Results. A total of 87 people had appointments with a physician in primary health care, 44 in outpatient clinics at a regional hospital, 20 in an emergency department, 14 in home care, and two in a university hospital outpatient clinic. Twelve were hospitalized at a regional hospital and