Profiles of total primary healthcare utilisation
The last three columns of Table 1 show the descriptive information of the profiles including total primary healthcare. The first profile ‘low utilisation, GP only’ was characterised by GP-consultations in the practice only in combination with a relatively low number of different drug prescriptions and referrals, although 4.2% of the patients were referred to a podiatrist. The second profile ‘medium-high utilisation, GP and nurse’ was also characterised by a high number of GP-consultations in the practice, and by a higher number of consultations with a primary care nurse in the practice. Patients in profile 3 ‘high utilisation’ were particularly characterised by contacts with a GP in practice and home visits by both GP and nurse. Moreover, patients in this profile were characterised by a high prescription rate and referrals to physiotherapists. Diabetes patients in profile ‘low utilisation, GP only’ had on average 4.6 face-to-face contacts with GPs and/or primary care nurses, patients in profile ‘consultation by GP and nurse’ 8.2 and diabetes patient in the profile ‘high utilisation’ 12.0 contacts.