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.