Social class habits of consulting.

This is a survey of social class habits of consulting in a rural general practice situated on the eastern fringe of the Nottinghamshire coalfield in a village which is referred to as Longlands. The practice has almost a monopoly of the 1,500 population, which is in effect a closed medical community, lying a mile away from the main road. There is a wide range of socio-economic groups. There are no industries in the village but many coal miners live there as there are several collieries within a few miles. This village was suitable for this type of study for several reasons. It was possible for one doctor to arrange to handle virtually all contacts with patients and, as it turned out, he did see everyone during the survey period of 3 m6nths, with the exception of those consulting at one week-end when the doctor attending them made the necessary notes. Coordination of recording methods and diagnostic labelling was reduced to a minimum because almost all the recording was done by one observer. Secondly, almost all the residents were practice patients and there was only one surgery in the village. A small percentage (3 5 per cent.) of the population were served by doctors in neighbouring towns. Thirdly, the medical population seemed likely to be stable as only seven people had changed their doctor for reasons other than leaving the district, in the preceding 6 years. The method was designed to test two hypotheses: (1) That there is a significant relationship between social class and the frequency of demands made upon the medical services. (2) That there is a relationship between social class and the kind of demand made.