Predictors of online medical appointments with general practitioners

Context: Appointments with general practitioners constitute the first point of contact with broader healthcare services for most patients. This study assessed sociodemographic factors associated with online appointments with general practitioners in Paris. Method: A multicentre cross-sectional epidemiological study was conducted from January to April 2017 in 61 pharmacies in the east of Paris, marked by a high social gradient. Pharmacists invited patients who had consulted a general practitioner to fill in a questionnaire. The questionnaire helped define the sociodemographic characteristics of the patients as well as how they made their appointments. Results: A total of 423 patients were included in the study. Multivariate analysis indicated that the age category over 40 years (age 40-59 years: ORajusted = 0.46, 95% CI = [0.236; 0.879], p = 0.02 and age over 60 years: ORadjusted = 0.023, 95% CI = [0.109; 0.49], p = 0.0001), non-use of Internet (ORadjusted = 10.55 [3.62; 45.04], p = 0.0001), and residents from priority areas of the city of Paris (ORadjusted = 0.227, 95% CI = [0.23; 0.76], p = 0.004]) were far less likely to make online appointments with their general practitioners. Conclusion: To provide equal access to care for all, traditional appointment methods (open-door consultations and telephone bookings) must be provided alongside new Internet appointment services.