Author/Authors :
Kavosi, Zahra Health Human Resource Research Center - School of Management and Information Sciences - Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran , Bayati, Mohsen Health Human Resource Research Center - School of Management and Information Sciences - Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran , Arefnezhad, Masoud Health Human Resource Research Center - School of Management and Information Sciences - Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran , Homaie Rad, Enayatollah Social Determinants of Health Research Center - Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran , Jaafari, Abdosaleh Health Human Resource Research Center - School of Management and Information Sciences - Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
Abstract :
Introduction: High‑cost sharing in physician care may result in worse health outcomes and financial
burdens for individuals, and it reduces needed health‑care utilization. Hence, this study examines the
impact of cost sharing on utilization of Physician care. Methods: In the present study, multistage
sampling (n = 1610) was done to collect general physician utilization and quality of life. Count data
model was used to analyze the effect of cost sharing and other factor on the ratio of referring to
the general physician. Negative binomial regression was employed to analyze the utilization model.
Results: People who have high‑cost sharing had used general physician services much less, so that
ratio of incidence among them was 0.18 less than individuals with low‑cost sharing (P < 0.05).
Gender and age variables showed a significant effect on the demand for the general physician
visit (P < 0.05). Conclusions: A low cost‑sharing policy would remove the clinically and financial
threat from the patient decision‑making so as to provide them with access to needed care.
