Interpractice variation in Barbados family practice.

The 11 practices of the Barbados Family Practice Morbidity Survey were analyzed according to the age and sex of the physicians. Male physicians had larger practice populations than did the female physicians but carried on fewer repeat encounters during the 12 months of the survey. The female physician practices recorded fewer domiciliary calls, more investigations and referrals, and a larger patient encounter female-male ratio than did the practices of male physicians. Younger physician practices recorded fewer domiciliary calls, investigations, and referrals than did those of their older counterparts. Statistically significant differences in morbidity between male and female practices were demonstrated. The results demonstrate the magnitude of interpractice variation according to the age and sex of family physicians and suggest its increasing importance at a time when more women are entering family practice.