UNASSIGNED: Aim @entity283 ( @entity283 ) are non-profit or voluntary sector organisations that promote and represent the interests of @entity1 and carers affected by particular conditions. The purpose of this study was to examine, among @entity1 with @entity102 , what differentiates those who contact @entity283 from those who do not and what stops @entity1 from making contact. BACKGROUND: @entity283 can enhance @entity1 's capacity to manage @entity102 by providing information, education and psychosocial support, but are under-utilised. Little is known about barriers to access. METHODS: Data were from a baseline telephone survey conducted as part of a randomised trial of an intervention to improve access to @entity283 . @entity1 constituted a consecutive sample of 276 adults with diagnosed @entity102 recruited via 18 general practitioners in Brisbane, Australia. Quantitative survey items examined @entity1 ' use and perceptions of @entity283 and a single open-ended question explored barriers to @entity435 use. Multiple logistic regression and thematic analysis were used. Findings Overall, 39% of @entity1 had ever contacted a @entity435 for their health and 28% had contacted a @entity435 specifically focussed on their diagnosed chronic condition. @entity6 , poorer self-reported physical health and greater health system contact were significantly associated with @entity435 contact. The view that 'my doctor does it all' was prevalent and, together with a belief that their health problems were 'not serious enough', was the primary reason @entity1 did not make contact. CONCLUSION: Attitudinal and system-related barriers limit use of @entity283 by those for whom they are designed. Developing referral pathways to @entity283 and promoting awareness about what they offer is needed to improve access.

Why do @entity1 with @entity102 not contact consumer health organisations? A survey of general practice XXXX .

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['participants', 'patients', 'Participants', 'people'] @entity6 :: ('MESH:D003920', 'Disease') :: ['Diabetes'] @entity283 :: ('OMIM:603663', 'Disease') :: ['CHOs', 'Consumer health organisations'] @entity102 :: ('MESH:D002908', 'Disease') :: ['chronic disease'] @entity435 :: ('CHEBI:42485', 'Chemical') :: ['CHO']
@entity1 :: (9606,Species) :: ['patients']
