Table 2.

Characteristics of Study Population

CharacteristicsNumberPercent
* Generalist includes general practitioner, family physician, general internist, and general pediatrician.
Age, years
    18–34 57 3.2
    35–44 183 10.2
    45–54 642 35.8
    55–64 913 50.9
Sex
    Male1,086 60.5
    Female 709 39.5
Residence
    Metropolitan1,537 85.6
    Nonmetropolitan 258 14.4
Specialty of predominant provider
    Generalist*1,432 79.8
    Endocrinologist 66 3.7
    Other 114 6.4
    Mixed 146 8.1
    Unknown 37 2.1
Diabetic complications
    Renal 51 2.8
    Retinal 226 12.6
    Neurologic 158 8.8
    Peripheral vascular 66 3.7
Ambulatory diagnostic groups
    Time limited: minor 490 27.3
    Time limited: minor—primary infections 604 33.7
    Time limited: major 284 15.8
    Time limited: major—primary infections 227 12.7
    Allergies 134 7.5
    Asthma 76 4.2
    Likely to recur: discrete 507 28.2
    Likely to recur: discrete—infections 345 19.2
    Likely to recur: progressive 258 14.4
    Chronic medical: stable1,749 97.4
    Chronic medical: unstable1,160 64.6
    Chronic specialty: stable—orthopedic 115 6.4
    Chronic specialty: stable—ear, nose, throat 36 2.0
    Chronic specialty: stable—eye 240 13.4
    Chronic specialty: unstable—orthopedic 70 3.9
    Chronic specialty: unstable—ear, nose, throat 13 0.7
    Chronic specialty: unstable—eye 355 19.8
    Dermatologic 341 19.0
    Injuries/adverse effects: minor 246 13.7
    Injuries/adverse effects: major 263 14.7
    Psychosocial: time limited, minor 77 4.3
    Psychosocial: recurrent or persistent, stable 150 8.4
    Psychosocial: recurrent or persistent, unstable 63 3.5
    Signs/symptoms: minor 674 37.6
    Signs/symptoms: uncertain 975 54.3
    Signs/symptoms: major 689 38.4
    Discretionary 330 18.3
    See and reassure 191 10.6
    Prevention/administrative1,086 60.5
    Malignancy 128 7.1
    Pregnancy 15 0.8
    Dental 6 0.3
Total1,795100.0