Health and health care; personal characteristics

Table explanation

Description topics

Medical contacts

Persons are asked if they had contact with their GP, specialist, dentist, dental hygienist, orthodontist, physiotherapist, exercise therapist, psychologist, psychotherapist or psychiatrist, and if he or she is treated by alternative healer. Also, if there were hospital admissions or day care admissions. For children up to 12 years old, these questions are answered by the parent/guardian. Most questions after medical contacts are asked to persons of all ages. Contacts that do not often occur in the case of children are posed from an older age.

Contact with GP

From 2021, the introductory text for the question about GP contacts has been changed to: Now something about contacts with the GP. This includes visits to the GP practice, home visits, telephone consultations, video calling, contacts via email or other e-consultations. Contacts with a replacement GP or with the GP post must also be included. Contacts with the practice assistant and the practice nurse should not be included.
Until 2021, the introductory text was 'Contacts with the GP include visits to the GP practice, home visits and telephone consultations. Contacts with a replacement GP or with the GP post also count. Contacts with the practice assistant and the practice nurse do not count.'
Contacts in the 12 months prior to the survey date are asked in the questionnaire. The questions are asked to respondents of all ages.

Persons with at least 1 contact

Percentage of persons in the population who contacted a GP at least once in the 12 months preceding the interview.

Contacts per person

This figure is the average number of contacts in the 12 months preceding the interview, per person in the population.
In order to prevent distortion as a consequence of bad memory respondents are asked after the number of contacts in the last 4 weeks preceding the interview. In order to calculate the average number of contacts in the 12 months preceding the interview, the number of contacts in 4 weeks is multiplied by 13 (13 periods of 4 weeks make 1 year).

Contacts p.p. with at least 1 contact

This figure is the average number of contacts of persons who in the 12 months preceding the interview at least had contact once.
In order to prevent distortion as a consequence of bad memory respondents are asked after the number of contacts in the last 4 weeks preceding the interview. In order to calculate the average number of contacts in the 12 months preceding the interview, the number of contacts in 4 weeks is multiplied by 13 (13 periods of 4 weeks make 1 year).

Contact with medical specialist

From 2021 onwards, the introductory text for the question for a specialist has been changed to: 'Now something about contacts with specialists. This includes contacts with specialists at the outpatient clinic, in a hospital department, in the emergency department, in a practice outside the hospital or in a private clinic. Also consider telephone consultations, video calls, contacts via email or other e-consultations. Contacts with specialists during a hospital or day admission should not be included here.)'
Until 2021, the text was: 'Contacts with the specialist can take place at the outpatient clinic, in a hospital department, in the emergency room, in a practice outside the hospital or in a private clinic. Contacts with specialists during a hospital or day admission do not count.'

Persons with at least 1 contact

Percentage of persons in the population who contacted a GP at least once in the 12 months preceding the interview.

Contacts per person

This figure is the average number of contacts in the 12 months preceding the interview, per person in the population.
In order to prevent distortion as a consequence of bad memory respondents are asked after the number of contacts in the last 4 weeks preceding the interview. In order to calculate the average number of contacts in the 12 months preceding the interview, the number of contacts in 4 weeks is multiplied by 13 (13 periods of 4 weeks make 1 year).

Contacts p.p. with at least 1 contact

This figure is the average number of contacts of persons who in the 12 months preceding the interview at least had contact once.
In order to prevent distortion as a consequence of bad memory respondents are asked after the number of contacts in the last 4 weeks preceding the interview. In order to calculate the average number of contacts in the 12 months preceding the interview, the number of contacts in 4 weeks is multiplied by 13 (13 periods of 4 weeks make 1 year).

Contact with orthodontist, 8 plus

Percentage of persons of 8 years or older in the population who at least once in the 12 months preceding the interview had contact with the orthodontist.

Persons treated by alternative healer

Percentage of persons in the population that claims to have been treated by an alternative healer at least once in the 12 months preceding the interview.

Persons receiving home care

Percentage of persons who receive paid help or care at home because of health problems in the 12 months preceding the interview. E.g. help in housekeeping, personal care, nursing, maternity care, or meal service (such as meals-on-wheels). By paid help is meant help paid by someone him/herself or an authority.