Doctor-consultation in Hong Kong: a comparison between findings of a telephone interview with the general household survey

In a study on morbidity at the household level in Hong Kong, telephone interviews were carried out on 551 households with 2505 persons. Results obtained on the rates of doctor-consultation within seven days prior to interview and the type of doctor consulted were compared with published results of a General Household Survey (GHS). Despite the differences in classification of complaints, sample size, sequence of questions and use of proxy reporting, the results of the telephone interview were comparable to those of the GHS. With its low cost and speed in obtaining information, the telephone interview could be a useful alternative method in studying the pattern of doctor-consultation particularly in conditions prevailing in Hong Kong.