Term: Intensity of Practice

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Glossary Definition

Last Updated: 2007-09-26

Definition:

Intensity is a construct that reflects the amount of care provided to the patients in a practice. A high intensity practice is one where patients receive more visits and/or services than would be provided in a low intensity practice. Expenditure to the health care system, incurred by a practice, is a well-accepted proxy for intensity. Thus, intensity refers to the average cost of care (per discrete patient) for a physician's entire practice, and includes both direct care (e.g. visits) and indirect care (e.g. referrals to specialists, lab procedures etc.).

Related terms 

• Physician Practice Characteristics

References 

• Katz A, De Coster C, Bogdanovic B, Soodeen R, Chateau D. Using Administrative Data to Develop Indicators of Quality in Family Practice. Winnipeg, MB: Manitoba Centre for Health Policy, 2004. [Report] [Summary] (View)