gms | German Medical Science

Purpose: Population-related studies on utilization of inpatient and outpatient health services are still rare [1], [2]. Moreover, specific patterns of health care utilization are not entirely explored. For this purpose, the data of a random sample of 10.000 inhabitants of the city of Hamburg, were used to identify particular patterns of utilization of health care services of the previous 12 months. Both medical as well as therapeutic consultations are included. Additionally, a comparison with the results of a survey for adults from 2011 about the utilization of outpatient and inpatient health services in Germany (DEGS1) is made [2].

Methods: An available random sample of 10.000 participants is used, collected by the Hamburg City Health Study (HCHS), a single center, prospective, epidemiologic imaging study to improve the identification of individuals at risk for cardiovascular, neurovascular and/or cancer diseases and to improve early diagnosis (stepwise screening) and outcome. Health service use was assessed by standardized questions already used in the DEGS1. The participants were 45–74 years old, citizens of the city of Hamburg and randomly selected by the residents' registration office. Cross-sectional analyses are performed resulting in descriptive statistics in an explorative design.

Results & discussion: The data provided by the HCH study center are currently being analyzed and evaluated. With the dataset it will be possible to identify different patterns of health service use in this metropolitan area. Subsequently, the identified patterns of health service use will be analyzed in the public use file available from the population-based nationwide DEGS1 to extend preceding analyses to younger age groups and different types of regions in Germany. The results will help to optimize the adequate use of health care services in Germany.