Home Healthcare Needs and Characteristics of Patients with Serious Illnesses Who Use Hospital-Affiliated Home-Based Medical Care in Korea
- Author:
Woohyeon CHO
1
;
Sun Young LEE
;
Shin Hye YOO
;
Belong CHO
;
Kyae Hyung KIM
;
In Young HWANG
Author Information
- Publication Type:Original Article
- From:Yonsei Medical Journal 2026;67(1):62-70
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Purpose:The number of homebound adults with serious illnesses is increasing. This study aimed to examine the healthcare needs and characteristics of patients who use a hospital-affiliated physician-led home-based medical care (HBMC) program and identify factors associated with emergency department (ED) visits in Korea.
Materials and Methods:This retrospective observational study included patients who used a HBMC program at a tertiary hospital between 2020 and 2023. Patient characteristics and home healthcare needs were analyzed by disease category: cancer, advanced neurologic disease, and others. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with ED visits within 30 days of a physician’s home visit.
Results:A total of 600 patients were registered and received home visits; 58.5% had cancer and 29.7% had advanced neurologic diseases, e.g., amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The median age was 72 years [interquartile range (IQR), 62.8–81.0], and 87.0% were dependent in daily activities. The median number of medications per patient was 6 (IQR, 3–10); 66.3% took ≥5 medications and 25.7% took ≥10 (excessive polypharmacy). Physicians provided not only physical examinations (100%) and symptom assessment (90.8%), but also home environment evaluation (86.7%), medical device management (62.0%), advanced care planning (40.7%), and acute health issue management (32.5%). Within 30 days, 19.2% of patients visited the ED. Excessive polypharmacy and cancer diagnosis were associated with increased ED visits.
Conclusion:Most patients who used the hospital-affiliated HBMC program had cancer, advanced neurologic disease, and polypharmacy. Targeted HBMC programs are needed for patients with serious illnesses living at home.
