Getting Care for Illness or Injury as Soon as Wanted
A patient's primary care provider should be the point of first contact for most illnesses and injuries. The ability of patients to receive treatment for illness and injury in a timely fashion is a key element in a patient-focused health care system.
Figure 4.1. Adults age 18 and over who reported sometimes or never getting carefor illness or injury as soon as wanted in the past year, by age group, 2000-2002
![Figure 4.1. Adults age 18 and over who reported sometimes or never getting carefor illness or injury as soon as wanted in the past year, by age group, 2000-2002. Select [D] Text Description for details.](Figure-4-1.jpg)
[D] Select for Text Description.
Source: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, 2000-2002.
- About 15% of adults report that they sometimes or never get care for illness or injury as soon as wanted (Figure 4.1). This rate did not change significantly from 2000 to 2002 overall or for any age group.
- In all 3 years, the proportion of adults who report that they sometimes or never get care for illness or injury as soon as wanted was lower among those age 45 to 64 and age 65 and older compared with those age 18 to 44.
