Psychological profile of over-uses-on-demand patients in a center of primary health care

Abstract

In this paper is presented a descriptive study about the psychological profile of over-using on demand patients in a center of primary health care . A constructivist approach is used in this study. The literature had remarked two variables as relevant ones in the study of over-using on-demand phenomenon, personality traits and meaning attribution. A sample of 30 over using patients was assessed using an ad-hoc socio-demographic inventory, the NE0-FFI Personality Inventory and a repertory grid. Applying a transversal exploration design, Neuroticism could be understood as a good predictor variable because it has relevant associations with a large number of the other studied variables. Repertory grid results show that over-using patients do not present dilemmas, see themselves similar to the others and use emotional constructs.