Medical Diagnosos and Physician Ethnicity in the Travel Patterns of Patients on Oahu, Hawaii

Abstract

This study attempts to explain the inpatient travel pattern of hospital utilization on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, by employing combined information on patients and their attending physicians. Such a study is generally difficult to carry out as appropriate data are not usually available. The effect of selected variables is examined with the use of the Multidimensional Method (Quantification Theory II). It is found that diagnosis and physician ethnicity are important factors for the Hawaii Medical Service Association (HMSA) and Medicaid patients. It is physicians, rather than patients, who tend to choose hospitals for inpatient care. Further research is necessary to examine the importance of the physician's role as a decision-maker.