Description
For children ages 0 to 17 and SAQ persons ages 18 and older (SAQELIG), ADSPEC indicates if, in the last 12 months, the respondent or a doctor thought the respondent needed to see a specialist. Respondents were instructed to not include dental visits and specialists were defined as, "doctors like surgeons, heart doctors, allergy doctors, skin doctors, and others who specialize in one area of health care." Beginning in 2017 ADSPEC is only available for children ages 0 to 17.
Beginning in 2018 ADSPEC is fielded every other year and will only be collected in odd years. See our user note for more details on this and other changes that occurred in 2018.
IPUMS MEPS reports the universe for each variable based on a thorough review of the original MEPS documentation. Investigating the data may reveal cases that do not meet the stated universe. Users are encouraged to validate universes for their analyses.
ADSPEC is part of the Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS). See VISITYRNO for more information on CAHPS.
For adults ages 18 and older, ADSPEC is part of the Self-Administered Questionnaire (SAQ), a pencil-and-paper survey. See SAQELIG for more information on the SAQ.
For children ages 0 to 17, ADSPEC was asked on the Parent Administered Questionnaire, a pencil-and-paper survey, in 2000. For 2001 forward, ADSPEC is part of the Child Preventive Health Supplement. See LESSHLTHY for more information on the Child Preventive Health Supplement.
Codes and Frequencies
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Comparability
The universe changed in 2017 compared to earlier years. See the universe tab for details.
Additionally, the change in mode of administration for children ages 0 to 17 from a self-administered questionnaire in 2000 to an interviewer administered questionnaire in 2001 forward may produce slightly different estimates in 2000 compared to later years. For adults ages 18 and older, ADSPEC is part of a self-administered questionnaire for all years. There are no other comparability issues.
Universe
- 2000-2016: SAQ persons ages 18 and older (SAQELIG) and children ages 0-17.
- 2017; 2019; 2021: Children ages 0-17.
Availability
- 2000-2017, 2019, 2021
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