Outpatient Care Utilization in Georgia: Determinants and Health System Efficiency Perspectives

Abstract

Outpatient healthcare utilization is widely used as an indicator of how effectively a healthcare system responds to the needs of the population. It reflects not only access to medical services, but also the overall organization of healthcare delivery and the balance between outpatient and hospital-based care. In Georgia, the use of outpatient services has increased considerably during recent years and reached approximately 15.8 million visits in 2024. At the same time, inpatient infrastructure has remained relatively unchanged. The present study examines several factors that may influence outpatient healthcare utilization in Georgia using official national statistical data. The analysis focuses on physician and nursing workforce availability, hospital bed capacity, healthcare expenditure per capita, demographic aging, and urbanization. The findings show that physician availability and healthcare expenditure are positively associated with outpatient service use. In addition, population aging appears to increase demand for outpatient care, which is consistent with the growing healthcare needs of older individuals. By contrast, hospital bed availability demonstrates a negative relationship with outpatient utilization, possibly reflecting a gradual shift from inpatient care toward outpatient services. Overall, the results indicate that although outpatient healthcare services continue to expand in Georgia, certain structural and organizational challenges remain within the healthcare system. The study highlights the importance of strengthening primary healthcare and improving the distribution and use of healthcare resources.