FREQUENT ATTENDANCE IN PRIMARY-CARE AMONGST OLDER PATIENTS

Frequent visits to primary care have been associated with psychiatric and psychosocial morbidity. These findings have been observed in gener al adult populations. The present study examined the relationship betw een frequency of attendance and various indicators of psychological an d psychiatric morbidity in an older population but did not include ind icators of cognitive impairment. The results failed to show evidence o f any association, suggesting that psychiatric/psychological morbidity is not. a major factor determining the frequency with which older peo ple consult their local primary care services.