Statistical study of first-time outpatients at Dental Hospital, Iwate Medical University.

Abstract

We attempted to forecast the number of first-time outpatients at our dental hospital, School of Dentistry, Iwate Medical University by a time series analysis.

Estimating the seasonal variation by the ANOVA and the link-relatives method, there was a tendency for the total number of outpatients to increase in January and March every year. The number of outpatients coming from distant addresses increased in January, March and August, but the number from addresses near our hospital had no seasonal variation. In the Departments of Orthodontics and Pedodontics, the number increased in January, March and August.

The impact on the number of outpatients over a period of time has been little even when the proportional rate paid by patients in health care charges changed by government policy. We forecasted that the total number in our hospital would remain constant in the near future.