Continuity of Care of Patient with Diabetes and Its Affecting Factors in Korea.
10.3961/jpmph.2007.40.1.51
- Author:
Chai Hyun YOON
1
;
Sin Jae LEE
;
Sooyoung CHOO
;
Ok Ryun MOON
;
Jae Hyun PARK
Author Information
1. Department of Preventive Medicine, Graduate School of Public Health, Seoul National University, Korea.
- Publication Type:Original Article ; English Abstract
- Keywords:
Diabetes mellitus;
Continuity of care
- MeSH:
Poverty;
National Health Programs;
Middle Aged;
Medical Assistance;
Male;
Linear Models;
Korea/epidemiology;
Insurance Claim Review;
Humans;
Female;
Diabetes Mellitus/economics/epidemiology/*therapy;
Continuity of Patient Care/economics/*statistics & numerical data;
Aged;
Adult
- From:Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
2007;40(1):51-58
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to estimate the continuity of care for all Koreans with diabetes and to identify factors affecting the continuity of care. METHODS: We obtained National Health Insurance claims data for patients with diabetes who visited health-care providers during the year 2004. A total of 1,498,327 patients were included as study subjects. Most Frequent Provider Continuity (MFPC) and Modified, Modified Continuity Index (MMCI) were used as indexes of continuity of care. A multiple linear regression analysis was used to identify factors affecting continuity of care. RESULTS: The average continuity of care in the entire population of 1,498,327 patients was 0.89+/-0.17 as calculated by MFPC and 0.92+/-0.16 by MMCI. In a multiple linear regression analysis, both MFPC and MMCI were lower for females than males, disabled than non-disabled, Medicaid beneficiaries than health insurance beneficiaries, patients with low monthly insurance contributions, patients in rural residential areas, and patients whose most frequently visited provider is the hospital. CONCLUSIONS: The continuity of care for patients with diabetes is high in Korea. However, women, the disabled and people of low socio-economic status have relatively low continuity of care. Therefore, our first priority is to promote a diabetes management program for these patients.
