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Table 1 Variables and sources of data for the regression models

From: Strengthening Medicare: Will increasing the bulk-billing rate and supply of general practitioners increase access to Medicare-funded general practitioner services and does rurality matter?

Variables

Data Sources

Dependent: decision to consult index

Whole Patient Equivalents (WPEs) per head of population*

WPEs: Table S2 in the Statistical Appendix to the report The General Practice Workforce in Australia†

Population: HealthWIZ v6.2‡ based on 1996 census

Dependent: frequency of consultation

Group A1 and A2 consults per Standardized Whole Patient Equivalent (SWPE)¶

Group A1 and A2 Consultations: available at http://www.hic.gov.au/providers/online_initiatives/hic_online.htm accessed Sept 7 2003

SPWEs: Table S2 in the Statistical Appendix to the report The General Practice Workforce in Australia†

Predictor variables

Geographic accessibility: Population weighted ARIA values for each Division

% Population in postcodes for each Division: available at http://www.health.gov.au/hsdd/gp/divspc.htm accessed Jul 11 2003

Population in each postcode: HealthWIZ v6.2‡ based on 1996 census

ARIA values for postal areas originally accessed at http://www.health.gov.au/ari/aria/htm accessed 26 Feb 2002. This url is no longer available but information about the data can be found at http://www.gisca.adelaide.edu.au/products_services/ariav2.html.

Bulk billing rate for general practice consultations

HealthWIZ v6.2‡

Dr Density: number of GPs and Other primary medical care doctors per 1,000 head of population

Vocationally Registered GPs and Other primary care practitioners: Table S2 in the Statistical Appendix to the report The General Practice Workforce in Australia†, derived from the 1998 Medical labour force survey undertaken by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), Canberra

Population: HealthWIZ v6.2‡ based on 1996 census

Index of Disadvantage

Population at each level of disadvantage within a Division: HealthWIZ v6.2‡

% population born in NESB country; % female, av age

HealthWIZ v6.2‡ based on 1996 census

  1. Notes: * WPEs are derived by the GP Branch of the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing as an indicator of patient load for each practice. If a patient consulted at only one general practice during a financial year, the patient is counted as one WPE for the practice. If a patients visits more than one general practice, the patient is counted as a fraction of a WPE based on the schedule fee value for each general practice consulted.
  2. † Australian Medical Workforce Advisory Committee: The General Practice Workforce in Australia. AMWAC Report 2000.2.
  3. ‡ Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care, National Social Health Statistical Database, developed by Prometheus Information Pty Ltd, commonly known as HealthWIZ. See Other Products at http://prometheus.com.au/html_control/index_frame.htm
  4. ¶ SWPEs are standardised WPEs. 'The standardisation process is based on National Medical and Department of Veterans' Affairs claims figures for each of 16 age/gender categories. The standardisation is achieved by allocating each patient to one of sixteen categories and multiplying the WPE value for each patient by the appropriate weight.