Growth and maturation of a model family practice: a five-year prospective study.

New medical practices go through a process of growth and maturation. In this study, a newly established model family practice was examined prospectively in order to describe the changes in the patient population and utilization patterns as the practice developed. Cross sections of the registered patient population were sampled randomly after the first and the sixth year of practice operation, and the results were analyzed. As part of the analysis, the population using the practice was examined from three points of view: those who were registered with the practice, those actually using the practice during the sample periods, and those using the practice "out-of-hours." During the five-year study period, practice volume tripled and the operation began to approach financial self-sufficiency. The characteristics of the patient population using the clinic changed markedly. The mean patient age increased, the number of welfare patients decreased, and the clinic population grew to resemble more closely the demographic profile of the surrounding area. The study proved to be very useful as a tool for examining the structure of this model family practice and evaluating the educational relevance of the patient population to the needs of the residents.