Medical clinic facilities and doctor characteristics: What older rural men value

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To identify the medical clinic facilities and doctor characteristics deemed important to older men living in a rural area of Australia. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study using a self-report questionnaire. SETTING: Mildura Rural City Council, located in north-west Victoria. PARTICIPANTS: Eighty-two men aged 55(+) years living in the precincts of the Mildura Rural City Council with the capability to read and write in English. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Factors perceived as important characteristics of medical facilities and GPs. RESULTS: Between high- and lower-income-status participants, the provision of bulk-billing services was a significant predictor of clinic features deemed essential...