The relationship between accessibility of healthcare facilities and medical care utilization among the middle-aged and elderly population in Taiwan

Abstract

Our study of Taiwan's experience could provide a valuable lesson for countries that are planning to launch universal health insurance system, locate budgets in health care and transportation. The middle-aged and elderly who were facing more challenges in accessing health care, no matter in perceived accessibility or real time to access health care, had less outpatient visits and more drug stores shopping. Strategic policies are needed to improve accessibility in increasing patients' perception on access and escalating convenience of transportation system for improving accessibility.

Gender Differences and Socioeconomic Factors Related to Osteoporosis: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Nationally Representative Data

“…48 Higher income may be an indicator of healthier living habits, 49 more physical activity, 49 and better access to healthcare services. 50 Previous study results showing that economic status influenced women more than men in terms of health and access to healthcare were also confirmed in this study. [51][52][53][54] Also, the results of the study corresponded with those of previous studies that found as the socioeconomic status of family income is lower, women were more likely to have osteoporosis.…”

Which factors affect health care use among older Germans? Results of the German ageing survey

“…Recent cross-sectional analyses showed an association between perceived access and health care use in Taiwan [35]. For Germany, objective accessibility, measured as ratio of number of physicians and population, was not associated with GP visits nor specialist visits [4].…”

Effectiveness of Hospital Emergency Department Regionalization and Categorization Policy on Appropriate Patient Emergency Care Use - A nationwide long-term observational study in Taiwan

“…This database reimburses approximately 99.7% of national health care services; its data include hospital and medical professional staff characteristics and subject's enrolment and medical information. This database has been shown to re ect the accessibility of health care facilities and medical care utilization [55,56]. The medical information collected includes diagnosis, procedure, medication, medical cost, and date of visit [57].…”