What are the factors affecting older adults’ experience of unmet healthcare needs amid the COVID-19 pandemic in Korea?
Abstract Background Unmet healthcare need is a critical indicator, showing a plausible picture of how the healthcare system works in the unprecedented pandemic situation. It is important to understand what factors affect healthcare services of older adults in the midst of the outbreak, as this could...
| Main Authors: | , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
BMC
2023-08-01
|
| Series: | BMC Geriatrics |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-023-04208-2 |
| _version_ | 1827708496518316032 |
|---|---|
| author | Sujin Kim Jongnam Hwang |
| author_facet | Sujin Kim Jongnam Hwang |
| author_sort | Sujin Kim |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Unmet healthcare need is a critical indicator, showing a plausible picture of how the healthcare system works in the unprecedented pandemic situation. It is important to understand what factors affect healthcare services of older adults in the midst of the outbreak, as this could help identify service- and performance-related challenges and barriers to the healthcare system. This study aimed to identify factors associated with unmet healthcare needs among the older Korean population amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods Cross-sectional data were used from the Experience Survey on Healthcare Use of Older Adults during the COVID-19 (COVID-19 Survey) in Korea (n = 1,917). Our main outcome, unmet healthcare need, was measured based on self-reported experience of overall, regular, and irregular outpatient care services-related unmet healthcare needs. Independent variables were selected based on previous studies on determinants of unmet healthcare need during the COVID-19 pandemic and Andersen’s expanded behavioural model, which theorizes that healthcare-seeking behaviours are driven by psychosocial, enabling, and need factors. Results Using multiple logistic regression models, we identified a good understanding of the nation’s health system was associated with lower likelihood of all types of unmet healthcare needs among older Korean adults (OR: 0.39, 95%CI: 0.25–0.61; OR: 0.36, 95%CI: 0.20–0.63; OR: 0.41, 95%CI: 0.23–0.75). Decreased social activities (i.e., shopping and visiting family members) and worsened psychological health issues (i.e., increased anxiety & nervousness and greater difficulty sleeping) were also factors affecting overall and irregular outpatient services-related unmet needs. Conclusions To ensure timely access to necessary healthcare services for older adults in the era of the COVID-19 outbreak, improving older adult’s understanding on how the healthcare system works is necessary. Moreover, changes in psychological condition and daily activities due to COVID-19 should be considered as possible barriers to healthcare services among older adults during the global pandemic. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T17:05:25Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-f9f459e16fa8460ca52083eb96060e3b |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1471-2318 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T17:05:25Z |
| publishDate | 2023-08-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Geriatrics |
| spelling | doaj.art-f9f459e16fa8460ca52083eb96060e3b2023-11-20T10:51:13ZengBMCBMC Geriatrics1471-23182023-08-0123111010.1186/s12877-023-04208-2What are the factors affecting older adults’ experience of unmet healthcare needs amid the COVID-19 pandemic in Korea?Sujin Kim0Jongnam Hwang1Korea Institute for Health and Social AffairsDivision of Social Welfare & Health Administration, Wonkwang UniversityAbstract Background Unmet healthcare need is a critical indicator, showing a plausible picture of how the healthcare system works in the unprecedented pandemic situation. It is important to understand what factors affect healthcare services of older adults in the midst of the outbreak, as this could help identify service- and performance-related challenges and barriers to the healthcare system. This study aimed to identify factors associated with unmet healthcare needs among the older Korean population amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods Cross-sectional data were used from the Experience Survey on Healthcare Use of Older Adults during the COVID-19 (COVID-19 Survey) in Korea (n = 1,917). Our main outcome, unmet healthcare need, was measured based on self-reported experience of overall, regular, and irregular outpatient care services-related unmet healthcare needs. Independent variables were selected based on previous studies on determinants of unmet healthcare need during the COVID-19 pandemic and Andersen’s expanded behavioural model, which theorizes that healthcare-seeking behaviours are driven by psychosocial, enabling, and need factors. Results Using multiple logistic regression models, we identified a good understanding of the nation’s health system was associated with lower likelihood of all types of unmet healthcare needs among older Korean adults (OR: 0.39, 95%CI: 0.25–0.61; OR: 0.36, 95%CI: 0.20–0.63; OR: 0.41, 95%CI: 0.23–0.75). Decreased social activities (i.e., shopping and visiting family members) and worsened psychological health issues (i.e., increased anxiety & nervousness and greater difficulty sleeping) were also factors affecting overall and irregular outpatient services-related unmet needs. Conclusions To ensure timely access to necessary healthcare services for older adults in the era of the COVID-19 outbreak, improving older adult’s understanding on how the healthcare system works is necessary. Moreover, changes in psychological condition and daily activities due to COVID-19 should be considered as possible barriers to healthcare services among older adults during the global pandemic.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-023-04208-2Unmet healthcare needOlder adultsKoreaCOVID-19Health services |
| spellingShingle | Sujin Kim Jongnam Hwang What are the factors affecting older adults’ experience of unmet healthcare needs amid the COVID-19 pandemic in Korea? BMC Geriatrics Unmet healthcare need Older adults Korea COVID-19 Health services |
| title | What are the factors affecting older adults’ experience of unmet healthcare needs amid the COVID-19 pandemic in Korea? |
| title_full | What are the factors affecting older adults’ experience of unmet healthcare needs amid the COVID-19 pandemic in Korea? |
| title_fullStr | What are the factors affecting older adults’ experience of unmet healthcare needs amid the COVID-19 pandemic in Korea? |
| title_full_unstemmed | What are the factors affecting older adults’ experience of unmet healthcare needs amid the COVID-19 pandemic in Korea? |
| title_short | What are the factors affecting older adults’ experience of unmet healthcare needs amid the COVID-19 pandemic in Korea? |
| title_sort | what are the factors affecting older adults experience of unmet healthcare needs amid the covid 19 pandemic in korea |
| topic | Unmet healthcare need Older adults Korea COVID-19 Health services |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-023-04208-2 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT sujinkim whatarethefactorsaffectingolderadultsexperienceofunmethealthcareneedsamidthecovid19pandemicinkorea AT jongnamhwang whatarethefactorsaffectingolderadultsexperienceofunmethealthcareneedsamidthecovid19pandemicinkorea |