Abstract
OPD Case Survey at Kon-Kaen Hospital in 1997 The survey objectives were to study information of OPD care given. The studied information was general information, information of OPD care provision, views of physicians and views of users. The data were collected through interviewing users and providers from March 17 to March 21, 1997.. Systematic random sampling was used for sampling 1228 cases. The response rate was 82.65%. The results showed that the majority of users lived in Muang District spending their visit time approximately 1-2 hours. 48.5% of well baby clinic users lived in metropolitan area while 60% of the pregnant visiting the hospital lived outside the metropolitan. Most receiving general practice were new patients with non-serious conditions. 40% of the users were uninsured. Most general medicine users were from Muang district. 59% of this group could be taken by general physicians whereas 31.4% needed special care. 22.3% were aged people. Only 21.1% had insurance. Common illness presenting for pediatric care was respiratory problem. Most examiners viewed that most presenting problems could be handled by health personnel and nurses. 63.3% of users were 1-4 year-old. 21.7 % were uninsured. For general surgery, tumor, respiratory problems and accidents were most common. 63.9% could be given care by general doctors. 32.7% gave the reason of specialist availability for visiting the hospital. 33.3% seeking orthopedic care lived outside Muang district and 93.1% living outside the metropolitan. Convenient transportation were most reasoned for coming the hospital. 15.3% were uninsured. Most seeking eye care were middle aged and could be given care by general doctors. Special care was most given to those living outside the Muang district. Most users were previous patients and made appointment. Such a group spent relatively longest time at the hospital. On average, each patient spent his or her time at the hospital about 3 hours and 25 minutes (almost half a day). 26% paid on their own pocket (14% were later remunerated). 65% agreed with exising prices while 16.7% considered expensive. Nevertheless, most said expensive if paying more than 500 Baht. 72% said they well understood their illness told by providers. The lowest rate of understanding their illness told by providers was found at general medicine and general surgery clinic. Expenditures for medicine and special examination were averaged at 215 Baht. General medicine and cardiac clinic were found larger expenditures respectively. 1/3 of payment was subsidised by the government. Average transportation cost was 85 Baht.
