The Physician Episode of Care: a Framework for Analyzing Physician Behavior Regarding Use of Clinical and Technical Resources

The purpose of this study is to determine the influence of style of practice on physicians' use of clinical resources, that is office visits and telephone calls, and technical resources, that is X-rays and laboratory procedures, in the context of ambulatory care. The universe of the study consists of 34 internists practicing in the prepaid group practice setting of Kaiser in Portland, Oregon, in 1970. Style of practice is conceptualized and operationalized by referring to the physician episode of care. This provides a framework for explaining variations in the use of clinical and technical resources by physicians. Such factors as being a regular rather than a temporary physician, and referral activity, appear to be important in determining the use of clinical and technical services by physicians.