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Social Capital and Having a Regular Family Doctor: Evidence from Longitudinal Data

Author

Listed:
  • Hana Bataineh

    (University of Ottawa, ON, Canada)

  • Rose Anne Devlin

    (University of Ottawa, ON, Canada)

  • Vicky Barham

    (University of Ottawa, ON, Canada)

Abstract

Evidence shows that access to a regular family doctor increases the likelihood of regular care; but about 15% of the Canadian population does not have access to a regular family doctor. We are the first to examine if the presence of individual social capital (e.g., tangible support, friends and family) increases the likelihood of having a regular family doctor. Using the Canadian National Population Health longitudinal survey (1994 to 2010) and a dynamic random effects model (with and without endogenous initial conditions) we find robust evidence of a statistically significant and positive causal relationship between social capital and the probability of having a regular family doctor. Since past access to a family doctor is a strong predictor of both current and future access, we show that social capital is much more important in helping individuals find a family doctor than for keeping one.

Suggested Citation

  • Hana Bataineh & Rose Anne Devlin & Vicky Barham, 2018. "Social Capital and Having a Regular Family Doctor: Evidence from Longitudinal Data," Working Papers 1806E, University of Ottawa, Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:ott:wpaper:1806e
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Social Capital; Social Networks; Regular Family Doctor; National Population Health Survey.;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I10 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - General
    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior

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    This paper has been announced in the following NEP Reports:

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