Effects of Having Regular Source of Care on Preventive Services and Disease Control

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Regular source of care has been demonstrated to be positively correlated with an individual's access to the health care system, improvement of patient's satisfaction with medical care and clinical preventive services, and control of chronic disease. But in Korea, no studies exist on the maintenance rate of regular source of care, the associated factors of maintenance and the effects on preventive services and disease control. METHODS: We analyzed 25,478 subjects aged 19 and over from the 2001 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. RESULTS: Among all, 29.9% had a regular source of care. Those who had regular source of care 59.6% were primary clinic, 35.9% were hospitals. The maintenance rate of regular source of care was higher in those of age over 50, higher education level, non-manual and other works, married state, and poorly perceived health status. Having a regular source of care had positive effects on preventive services, such as stomach, breast, cervix cancer exam, and blood pressure checkup. But having a regular source of care had no significant effect on predictive factors of smoking cessation and control of hypertension and diabetes. CONCLUSION: The maintenance rate of a regular source of care was low, about 30% of the subjects. Age, education level, occupation, marital state, perceived health status were related with the maintenance. Health policy to promote having a regular source of care is needed, considering the positive effect on preventive services. Hereafter, studies to assess clinical and health scientific significance of having a regular source of care are needed.