Changes in the Comprehensiveness of Rural Medical Care for Older Japanese Patients during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Int J Environ Res Public Health
; 18(20)2021 10 14.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1470839
ABSTRACT
Help-seeking behaviors (HSBs) refer to how people use lay and medical care to address their symptoms and diseases. The COVID-19 pandemic may have changed older, rural patients' preferences and experiences regarding HSBs, thereby, affecting the comprehensiveness of medical support for communities. This study identified changes in the comprehensiveness of medical care for older, rural patients, who are often dependent on others for accessing medical services. This observational study was performed with patients who lived in Unnan City. Patients' dependency and changes in comprehensiveness of medical services were assessed and calculated. The total usage of medical care decreased from 2018 to 2020 at all medical care levels. The proportion of patients who received comprehensive care was higher in 2020 than in 2018, at all care levels. At care dependent levels 3 to 5, the differences in the proportions were statistically significant. This study illustrates an association between the COVID-19 pandemic and the proportion of comprehensiveness of medical care among older rural patients with a decrease in medical care usage. Moreover, an improved proportion of comprehensiveness of medical care leads to appropriate HSBs. Going forward, HSBs and patient-centered care should be promoted by policy makers.
Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Pandemics
/
COVID-19
Type of study:
Observational study
/
Prognostic study
/
Qualitative research
Limits:
Humans
Country/Region as subject:
Asia
Language:
English
Year:
2021
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Ijerph182010772
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