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The effect of distance to VA facilities on the choice and level of utilization of VA outpatient services

James F. Burgess and Donna Avery DeFiore

Social Science & Medicine, 1994, vol. 39, issue 1, 95-104

Abstract: The 1987 survey of Veterans is used to explain the effects of distance to VA facilities on the choice and level of utilization of VA outpatient services by U.S. veterans. A two part discrete/continuous model is used to separate two elements of the decision to seek outpatient services from federally operated VA facilities. First, a discrete choice is made to seek care from the VA. Second, a continuous choice is made to seek a particular level of utilization, Distance is found to affect the initial discrete choice significantly for measured distances up to 60 miles at a decreasing rate. Once some VA outpatient contact is made, distance is a major factor only for the elderly in determining the amount of utilization. Disturbingly, elderly veteran users living more than 30-40 miles from the nearest VA are expected to make fewer visits in a year than younger veterans.

Keywords: outpatients; two-part; models; distance (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 1994
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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