Hospitalization survey of rural family practice

Data on hospital admissions were recorded in 3 village clinics in central Israel during the period 1977-1986. This period coincided with the introduction of regionalization of hospitals, as well as with the growth of board-certified family practice in Israel. The age-adjusted rate of admission from these 3 villages was 74/1000/year, considerably lower than the national rate of 124/1000/year. There was an abrupt decrease in admission rate in 1983, the year of the doctors' strike, followed by a compensatory rise the following year, mainly for surgical procedures. During the years of the survey hospital stay decreased progressively, but the average of the survey population for the whole period (8.3 days) was greater than that of the national population (5.8 days). Hospital stay was longer in the tertiary hospital center than in regional hospitals. Relatively low admission rates but with relatively long hospitalization may be characteristic of higher quality community care. There were marked demographic differences between the 3 villages. The different age structures and ethnic origins of the populations affected hospitalization trends. However, differences in economic status had no detectable effect. Community-based hospitalization surveys over long periods may be useful in demonstrating changes in morbidity patterns over the years, as well as the effects of changes in the health care system.