Toward the evaluation of family practice: development of a family utilization index.

This paper describes a research project that establishes criteria for utilization patterns of a family practice that could be used to develop evaluation techniques for family practice as a method of delivering primary medical care. The criteria are summarized in a Family Utilization Index, which measures the utilization patterns of a family unit. Changes in the Utilization Index are compared over a five-year period. Changes in attitudes and opinions about family practice in general and the specific Family Medicine Clinic are also compared over time and related to changes in the Family Utilization Index. Utilization patterns have significantly shifted over a five-year period, with more total visits to the clinic due to an increase in the number of family members per family unit using the clinic. Both the utilization patterns and attitudes toward the role of the family physician have shifted, indicating an increased acceptance of family practice.