TY - JOUR T1 - Linking survey data with computerised records to predict consulting by older people JF - British Journal of General Practice JO - Br J Gen Pract SP - 928 LP - 931 VL - 54 IS - 509 AU - Tess Harris AU - Derek G Cook AU - Christina R Victor AU - Carole Beighton AU - Stephen DeWilde AU - Iain M Carey Y1 - 2004/12/01 UR - http://bjgp.org/content/54/509/928.abstract N2 - Despite high consultation rates, little is known about predictors of primary care use by older people. A survey of patients aged ≥65 years from two London practices included details on physical health and functioning, psychological measures, social support, and socioeconomic measures. The response rate was 75% (1704/2276). We obtained consent to link the survey data to subjects' computerised primary care records for 92% (1565/1704) of responders. Individual factors (physical ill health, anxiety, female sex), social factors (frequent telephone contact with friends or family), and practice factors independently predicted consultation in the year post survey. Although physical ill health was the most important, the other factors had independent effects and may be useful in understanding the increase in consulting by older people. ER -