The potential for or actual entry of a population into the health system. Entry is dependent upon the wants, resources, and needs that individuals bring to the care-seeking process. The ability to obtain wanted or needed services may be influenced by many factors, including travel, distance, waiting time, available financial resources, and availability of a regular source of care. (Note: this defined term refers to access in the context of access to care. The term access is also used within the instruments in other contexts, i.e., access to resources, access to technology. The use of access within such phrases carries the more traditional meaning).
Source:
Turnock BJ. Public Health: What It Is and How It Works. Gaithersburg, MD: Aspen Publishers, Inc.; 1997
