Profile of a population using a primary health care center in Puerto Rico.

PURPOSE

To describe the services delivered by the Family Medicine Physicians at a Community Health Center.

METHODS

All information from patient visits during the natural year 1996 were registered using a commercialized computer program. The information was gathered by different means: initial interview, physician's report, records, and personal interviews.

RESULTS

A total of 13,203 visits were registered; this represent a total of 4,493 patients. Most of the patients were women, and with a mean age of 38. As expected, most of the patients have Medicaid. The most common conditions seen were hypertension, diabetes, and respiratory diseases. The mean number of visits during the year for almost all conditions was three. Most of the children and adolescents visit the Center due to respiratory conditions, while adults come due to hypertension, diabetes, and musculoskeletal conditions.