Qualitative analysis on the utilization of health services and economic burden of the elderly pa-tients with diabetic foot ulcer / 中国卫生政策研究

ABSTRACT

Objective:To explore the health seeking behavior, utilization of health services and the economic burden of the elderly patients with diabetic foot ulcer ( DF) , with aim to provide policy evidence for improving their DF prevention and treatment outcomes. Methods: The purposive sampling method was applied to recruit 15 elderly DF patients treated in the 454 th Hospital of Chinese PLA from December 2013 to January 2014. After informed con-sent, they were in-depth interviewed. Results: The elderly with DF had a higher demand for the health services. They emphasized on treatment and neglected prevention. The utilization and efficiency of health services were affected by patients' economic level, medical insurance, capacity of community services, and so on. Conclusion:In order to improve the treatment outcome and quality of life for the elderly DF patients, it's necessary to strengthen patients' health education, to build a community-based and integrated health care system on DF prevention, treatment and management, and to develop the policies for reducing DF related economic burden.