The effect of social capital on the use of general practitioners: A comparison of immigrants and non-immigrants in Ontario

Abstract

Social capital, a resource arising from the social interaction among individuals, may be a determinant of medical care use. This study explored the interaction between community- and individual-level social capital and immigrant status on the propensity and frequency of physician visits. The results showed that community social capital, as measured by the Petris Social Capital Index, was not significant in any of the analyses. However, a sense of belonging to the local community tended to decrease the number of doctor visits made by immigrants, while tangible social support increased and affection decreased the frequency of GP consultations by non-immigrants. Further research is required to determine which types of social capital affect utilization of different health services. These findings also highlight the importance of being aware of potential interactions between the formal and informal components of the healthcare system.