Office encounters in general practice in the Hamilton Health District I: social class patterns among employed males, 15-64.

Recent epidemiological research indicates that a strong inverse relationship exists between social class and mortality for almost every cause of death among employed males in the age group 15-64. On such epidemiological evidence higher levels of health service use among lower socio-economic strata might be expected. Data from a survey of office encounters in general practices in the Hamilton health district reveal social class differences in the expected direction--especially for severe conditions--but the differentials recorded are not substantial. It is suggested that this shortfall in predicted class differentials in office encounters is explained by social class variations in patterns of symptom recognition and help-seeking and in access to care. Such differences mean that lower class men receive less medical attention than their experience of ill-health might warrant.