Consumer use of multiple general practitioners: an Australian epidemiological study

The aim of this Australian study was to explore the reasons for peoples' choice of general practitioner (GP) in an environment where they have freedom of choice of doctor on every occasion of attendance. A questionnaire was administered by trained research assistants to 555 people during an hour-long interview. Utilization of more than one general practitioner was examined in terms of sociodemographic factors, health status and satisfaction with the last general practice visit. Respondents were more likely to see more than one general practitioner if they had more visits; were dissatisfied with their last consultation with a general practitioner; were younger; were female; and were highly qualified. Further, respondents who described good communication as the rationale for their satisfaction rating for their last general practitioner visit were less likely to have seen more than one general practitioner.