Health care needs of a national park population: a descriptive study

The study reviews 687 patient visits to a registered nurse at a hotel dispensary in Glacier National Part during the summer of 1981. Chart review was carried our for all clinic visits for new complaints to determine demographic characteristics, presenting complaints, preexisting conditions, number of diagnoses, final diagnoses, allergies, medications indicated and in current use, medical history, referral, transportation, and consultation patterns, and desired supplies and tests. Frequencies and chi-squares were utilized to determine variations between final diagnoses and referral patterns with the variables of age, sex, employee/visitor status, urban/rural nature of residence, and distance of residence from the park. Results demonstrated similarities in the practice profile of Glacier Park with profiles of other ambulatory outpatient clinics. The six leading diagnoses remained unchanged across all variables despite twice the rate of clinic utilization by college age park employees, a finding accounted for by the Health Belief Model.