Evaluating Access to and use of Primary Health Care: Diabetes-related Case Study using the 2002/3 NSW Health Survey

Abstract

This paper investigates the use of the 2002/3 NSW Health Survey to provide information on access to and use of quality primary health care (PHC) using type 2 diabetes as a case study. The 2002/3 NSW Health Survey is a telephone survey using Computer Assisted Technology to survey a random sample of NSW residents stratified by area health services. We investigated the population characteristics that were associated with access to and use of PHC relating to the diagnosis, proactive management, complication screening and health outcomes of diabetes for participants. Older participants reported increased diabetes, but not diabetes-related risk factors, increased hospitalisation, and increased medication use, but decreased blood pressure screening. Relatively disadvantaged participants reported greater health care needs not reflected in access to and use of health services. While these participants reported increased use of medication to treat diabetes they were less likely to report using three or more accepted management strategies. This work indicates that the NSW Health Survey can provide information on access to and use of health services. Discussion is needed to identify ways in which information on access to and use of PHC can be enhanced.