Characteristics of visits to primary care specialists:
Accounted
for 62.7 percent of all visits in 2002, with 75 percent to the
patient’s designated primary care provider.
Major
reason for visit to primary care specialists:
Acute conditions.41.5 percent
Chronic conditions.29.6 percent
Preventive care.23.3 percent
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five illness-related diagnoses are:
Hypertension.7.8 percent
Acute upper respiratory infections (excluding pharyngitis).5.1
percent
Diabetes mellitus.3.1 percent
Otitis media.2.4 percent
Arthropathies.2.1 percent
Injury
visits accounted for 9.4 percent of all visits to primary care
specialists.
Common
services ordered or provided:
General medical examination.60.8 percent
Blood pressure check.60.1 percent
Urinalysis.12.8 percent
Complete blood count (CBC).10.9 percent
Diet/nutrition counseling.19.3 percent
Exercise counseling.12.2 percent
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therapeutic drug classes were:
Vaccines/antisera.5.7 percent of drug mentions
NSAIDs.5.5 percent of drug mentions
Antihistamines.4.8 percent of drug mentions
Antidepressants.4.0 percent of drug mentions
Antihypertensives.3.9 percent of drug mentions
Antiasthmatics.3.8 percent of drug mentions
Disposition
of visit:
Return for an appointment.53.4 percent
Return if needed.33.4 percent
Referred to another physician.8.0 percent
Average
face-to-face duration.17.4 minutes. |