Social Factors in Health Care Systems Planning

Access to physicians' offices, clinics, and hospitals has become more difficult especially for inner city residents who cannot travel by car. The alternative has been to use hospital emergency rooms as a substitute for private physicians leading to overcrowding these facilities. Data on the use of emergency rooms and mode of travel to the hospital were examined. It is shown that perceptions of the quality of care and familiarity with the hospital are as important as access to the hospital by car or transit vehicle when deciding on which hospital emergency room to use. This study indicates the importance of considering social factors when planning and designing health care facilities for urban areas.