Objective: To assess general practitioner consultation among Chinese people compared with the general population and other minority ethnic groups, and to investigate the factors associated with general practitioner consultation among the Chinese population.
Design: Survey of a representative sample of Chinese people aged 16-74 living in private households in metropolitan areas of England. One thousand and twenty-two people who defined themselves as 'of Chinese origin' were interviewed. General practitioner consultations were analysed in relation to self-reported general health and long-standing illness or disability, gender, age, social class, country of birth, whether the respondent spoke English, use of traditional Chinese medicine, and the ethnicity and gender of the respondent's general practitioner.
Results: The self-reported general health status of Chinese people is similar to that of the general population and better than that of other minority ethnic populations. The level of general practitioner consultation by Chinese people is low compared with the general population and with other minority ethnic groups. Within the Chinese population, general practitioner consultation is related to gender, self-reported health status and the ability to speak English. Ability to speak English is the strongest positive predictor of general practitioner consultations.
Conclusion: Chinese people in England are less likely than people from other minority ethnic groups to consult their general practitioner, even after their relative health status is taken into consideration. Use of general practitioners by Chinese people in England is associated with a number of factors, of which the strongest predictor is the ability to speak English. Chinese people who speak English are more likely than those who do not, to consult their general practitioner. Health service providers should accommodate the needs of this group by providing access to advocacy services.