G. Thue et al., DRY CHEMISTRY INSTRUMENTS IN PRIMARY-CARE .1. OPERATING-CONDITIONS AND FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS, Family practice, 10(2), 1993, pp. 124-130
The objectives of this study were to describe the operating conditions
of dry chemistry instruments in primary care, as well as to elucidate
financial aspects in general practice fee-for-service settings. We us
ed questionnaires mailed to all users of the two most used dry chemist
ry instruments in Norway, as well as to a 14% random sample of Norwegi
an GPs. The overall response rate was 79%. The mean number of dry chem
istry analyses varied considerably between individual users, but in ge
neral a substantial number of analyses were carried out. Even though m
ost analyses on the instruments' repertoire were available in all user
groups, a total of 13 additional constituents were suggested to be in
cluded in the repertoire. In occupational health care most results wer
e ready when the client was present; this was not the case in general
practice. The instruments were more profitable when more constituents
were analysed per sample, although profitability varied substantially
in the period studied (1986-1989). A discrete time history event analy
sis revealed that net profit earned, lower instrument price, available
information about the technology and being in solo practice significa
ntly influenced the decision to buy an instrument in fee-for-service p
ractices.