Frequent attenders were defined as those patients whose attendance rate ranked nearest to the top 10th centile of their sex and age group (15–30, 31–45, 46–60, and ≥61 years).2,3 Frequent attenders were determined for each of the years 2003, 2004, and 2005. The selected frequent attenders of 2003 were taken as a starting point. Persistent frequent attenders were defined as those patients who were both registered and frequent attenders during all 3 years.
How this fits in
Frequent attending has been studied extensively, but is mostly not persistent. Little is known about persistent frequent attendance, but potential interventions should be targeted at this group. A rule was developed to predict which frequent attenders will persist in this behaviour. Using information that was readily available from the GPs' electronic medical record, it was only possible to update the prior probability modestly.
Only face-to-face consultations with GPs (consultations in the office and house calls) were included. Consultations with other practice staff were excluded because these contacts are mostly initiated by GPs or their staff, and are related to controlling chronic diseases. Mean number of consultations per age and sex group was determined for frequent attenders and non-frequent attenders. Patients younger than 15 years were excluded, because their consultations often depend on their parents.
