Comorbidity: Implications for the Importance of Primary Care in 'Case' Management (original) (raw)

BACKGROUND Although comorbidity is very common in the population, little is known about the types of health service that are used by people with comorbid conditions. METHODS Data from claims on the nonelderly were classified by diagnosis and extent of comorbidity, using a case-mix measure known as the Johns Hopkins Adjusted Clinical Groups, to study variation in extent of comorbidity and resource utilization. Visits of patients (adults and children) with 11 conditions were classified as to whether they were to primary care physicians or to other specialists, and whether they involved the chosen condition or other conditions.