TRIAGE SERVICES - A PROFILE OF HIGH UTILIZATION

With challenges continuing to be presented to health care delivery, in appropriate out-patient service utilization is of utmost concern to al l health care service providers. This study is an examination of the u tilization patterns of 189 veterans in an urban Veterans Administratio n Medical Center (VAMC). Factors found to be related to high utilizati on of ambulatory care triage clinic services for veterans who had pres ented for at least two unscheduled visits in the past six months inclu de: patient perception of health status; number of prescription medica tions; and social needs. Implications for social work practice, progra m development and research are discussed.