Patterns of ambulatory care in office visits to general surgeons: The National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey. United States, January 1980-December 1981.

Data on the characteristics of office visits to general surgeons by ambulato~ patients are presented. Individual profiles are detailed for physicians in solo and group practices, for those in the four major geographic regions, and in metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. Information on the medical and surgical care provided by different age groups of physicians is provided. The condition of patients is described according to their demographic characteristics using such descriptors as patients’ reaaona for visit and diagnoses rendered by physicians. Patient management is described in terms of diagnostic services, nonmedication and medication therepy, duration and disposition of the visit. Comparisons sre made between 1975 and 1980-81 data on general surgeons, and between general surgeons and other surgical specialists.