Table 1

Characteristics of responders, GPs and practices attended in 1987 and 2001.

19872001
Mean NEQ sum score (SD), not standardised (range = 12–60)35.4 (8.9)30.8 (7.7)
Respondersn = 9579n = 8405
Age range (years)18–9718–96
 Mean (SD)43.0 (16.8)48.5 (16.8)
 >65 years (%)13.819.4
Female (%)51.155.7
Cultural background (%)
 Western75.286.2
 Non-Western1.22.7
 Missing data23.611.1
Educational level (%)
 No/low (elementary school or no school)19.413.9
 Medium66.464.3
 High (academic level education)14.221.8
One or more chronic disease (%)56.765.0
Acute ailment(s) in the last 14 days (%)80.490.6
Self-reported health, in general (%)
 Very good82.467.3
 Moderate to poor16918.6
 Missing data0.714.1
Consulted GP in past 2 months (%)39.258.2
GPsn = 175n = 159
Female (%)17.720.5
Age range (years)28–6234–62
 Mean (SD)41.4 (7.8)47.7 (6.2)
 <40 years (%)4718
Practicesn = 103n = 104
Solo practice (%)50.553.8
Location (%)
 Most urban (inner city)14.621.2
 Urban (small town)15.523.1
 Suburban19.419.2
 Mixed urban/rural26.219.2
 Rural24.317.3
  • NEQ = Nijmegen Expectation Questionnaire. SD = standard deviation.