Variability in Use of Health Services and Its Association with Self-Management Skills: A Population-Based Exploratory Analysis

No Thumbnail Available
File version
Author(s)
Parekh, Sanjoti
Kendall, Elizabeth
Ehrlich, Carolyn
Griffith University Author(s)
Primary Supervisor
Other Supervisors
Editor(s)
Date
2016
Size
File type(s)
Location
License
Abstract

Self-management skills are helpful in making appropriate health-related decisions; however, improvements in self-management skills do not always translate into changes in health services utilization. Therefore, to assess associations between self-management skills and health services use, a randomly selected sample of 984 residents was drawn from South East Queensland, Australia. This cross-sectional study collected self-reported data on respondents' use of health services, health-related behaviors, demographics, and 3 self-management skills: self-monitoring, health services navigation, and social mobilization. The results indicate that the ability to navigate the health system was associated with greater use of health services while the ability to mobilize one's social supports was associated with reduced use of allied health services. Being able to navigate the health system appeared to be driven by necessity, in that those with higher navigation skills were unemployed, financially stressed, or had a chronic condition. This pattern of results confirms the socioeconomic gradient that exists in health.

Journal Title

Population Health Management

Conference Title
Book Title
Edition
Volume

19

Issue

1

Thesis Type
Degree Program
School
Publisher link
Patent number
Funder(s)
Grant identifier(s)
Rights Statement
Rights Statement
Item Access Status
Note
Access the data
Related item(s)
Subject

Nursing

Health services and systems

Public health

Persistent link to this record
Citation
Collections