Bayati A¹ (MSc), Soltanian F² * (MSc), Kamali P³ (MPH), Shamsi M⁴ (MSc)

  ¹ Department of Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak. Iran

  ² Departmant of Health, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Shahed University, Tehran, Iran

  ³ Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran 
  ⁴ Departmant of Public Health, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran

  Received: 4 Sep 2010, Accepted: 29 Jun 2011

  Abstract

  Introduction: The real and reasonable valuation of health care services is one of the most important factors affecting several components of health system, especially economic and treatment issues. This study aimed to define the effective different factors on relative value units (RVU) of GP’s visit in private offices in Tehran.

  Methods: This is an analytical study. The views of three groups including 668 general practitioners, 583 patients referred to general practitioners, and 22 national experts regarding the factors that affect the relative value unit of general practitioners visit in their private offices in Tehran were gathered using a self-structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistical methods and Pearson correlation coefficient.

  Results: Regarding factors influencing relative value unit of GPs' visits ، physicians' skills, severity of illness, duration of visits, medical errors, risk for physicians, and physicians' visits were most influential. There was no significant relationship between the duration of visits and the physicians' skills from the physicians point of view (r= -0.01, p= 0.72). There was also no significant relationship between physicians' skills and medical errors (r= 0.01, p= 0.78).

  C onclusion: The findings can help determining the relative value units applied to other medical services and management levels. The Ministry of Health, Management and Planning Organizations and other relevant organizations can use the results of this study to determine the real costs.

  Key words: relative value unit, visit, GP (general practitioner), office

  Please cite this article as follows:

  Bayati A^, Soltanian F, Kamali P, Shamsi M^. Influencing Factors on Relative Value Unit of GP’s Visits in Private Medical Offices in Tehran. Hakim Research Journal 2011 14(2): 89- 95.

  * Corresponding Author: 23, Second floor, No. 7, West Tavakoli Alley, Sepand St., Aghdasieh St., Tehran.
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