Regional Disparity and Factors Influencing Unmet Medical Needs: A Study Based on the Sixth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2015)

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine regional differences and the factors that affect unmet medical needs. METHODS: Data from the 6th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2015) were used, and 4,946 health survey participants who provided responses on medical utilization and health behavior were included in the study. RESULTS: A statistically significant difference was observed in the incidence rate of unmet medical needs in terms of region. The independent variables that affected unmet medical needs were sex, age, education, region, household income, insurance type, smoking status, self-reported health status, and stress awareness. Gender (female), lower education level, rural residents, lowest household income, poor self-reported health status, and stress awareness increased the probability of unmet medical needs. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggested that different policies and approaches should be considered for each population that is at risk to address the primary cause of the unmet medical needs. Further studies that include medical expenses and the relevant variables of an area should be conducted in the future.

Surveys into the medical needs of outpatients / 中华医院管理杂志

Objective To improve outpatient medical care. Methods A sample survey was conducted into 1716 outpatients during 6 days in October of 2004 using questionnaires that covered such items as the patients' choice of hospitals, their choice of doctors, their medical needs and their needs for continuous services. Results The medical needs of the patients, regardless of gender, age, and form of payment (personal payment, medical insurance or treatment at public expenses), are, in terms of urgency, disease relief, safety, respect, service, and the right to be informed. Ranking first in the needs for continuous medical services is medical appointments, with telephone follow-ups coming next. Conclusion Outpatients have diversified medical needs and hospitals ought to attach importance to relieving patients from disease, ensuring medical safety, respecting patients, improving services, bettering continuous medical services, and satisfying the needs of patients at different levels.