|
KMID : 1159320150170020107
|
|
Korean Journal of Vision Science
2015 Volume.17 No. 2 p.107 ~ p.114
|
|
|
A Study on General Characteristics and Medical Care Utilization in Low-vision
|
|
Jo Mi-Jeong
Kim Hyo-Jin
|
|
|
Abstract
|
|
|
|
Purpose: The purpose of this study is to understand the current status of low-vision patients’ general characteristics and medical care utilization including age and sex. Methods: The data of Korea Health Panel were used, and 17,885 people in 2010 and 17,035 in 2011 were selected as subjects. The general characteristics of low-vision patients were examined in terms of their sex, age, marital status, house income level, educational level, types of medical insurances, and economic activity. About the actual status of their medical care utilization, whether they used an emergency room or were hospitalized, national and public institutions, and types of medical institutions were investigated. Also, this study analyzed low-vision patients’ general satisfaction with the medical care system and problems they came up with about it. Results: About low-vision patients, 44.7% were men while 55.3% were women (p=0.944). Regarding their age, 0 to 20 formed 22.2%, 20 to 29 5.2%, 30 to 39 4.7%, 40 to 49 4.1%, 50 to 59 21.6%, 60 to 69 17.5%, and over 70 24.7% (p=0.022). Concerning low-vision patients’ house income, the lowest 1 and 2 percentile formed 31.3% and 30.1% respectively, and when their house income was lower, there were more low-vision patients (p=0.001). About the status of low-vision patients’ medical care utilization, they visited the outpatient department 2.48 times a year averagely, and 10.9% of them used an emergency room. About the medical service system, 69.7% of the low-vision patients answered that it operated well, and they came up with the nation’s entire medical expenses and long waiting times as the problems of the current health care system. Conclusions: Low vision occurs frequently in those gaining low house income and younger generations as well as those over 70. Therefore, to enhance their medical accessibility, it is needed to figure out determinants for the aspects of medical care utilization.
|
|
|
KEYWORD
|
|
|
Low vision, House income, Medical care utilization, Health care service
|
|
|
FullTexts / Linksout information
|
|
|
|
|
|
Listed journal information
|
|
|
|