"Wait till it's serious:" health care costs and urban survival strategies of low income groups in Christchurch.

AIM

To examine the 'survival' strategies adopted by lower income groups seeking to cope with the costs of primary care.

METHOD

Two surveys, one of the health and health service concerns of clients of an inner city voluntary welfare agency, and another of how 114 general practitioner (GP) surgeries in Christchurch aided patients in financial distress, were conducted in October-December, 1997.

RESULTS

Patients adopted a variety of strategies, both active and passive, with delays in obtaining medications and seeking financial help from GPs being the most common. Although less important, high rates of switching GPs occurred. There was evidence of geographical variation in the strategies adopted by patients and practices as well as of the effects of such strategies given that considerable levels of unmet need remain.

CONCLUSION

The results suggest that new primary care initiatives are required to meet the health needs of disadvantaged populations.