Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Healthcare-Seeking Behaviors among Frequent Emergency Department Users: A Cohort Study

Yi-Chang Chou, Yung-Feng Yen, Dachen Chu and Hsiao-Yun Hu
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Yi-Chang Chou: Department of Education and Research, Taipei City Hospital, Taipei 106, Taiwan
Yung-Feng Yen: Department of Education and Research, Taipei City Hospital, Taipei 106, Taiwan
Dachen Chu: Department of Health and Welfare, University of Taipei, Taipei 100, Taiwan
Hsiao-Yun Hu: Department of Education and Research, Taipei City Hospital, Taipei 106, Taiwan

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 12, 1-10

Abstract: In 2020, Taiwan’s healthcare system faced a notable burden imposed by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Emergency department (ED) is a high-risk area for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 transmission. The effect of COVID-19 on the utilization of ED services among frequent ED users remains unknown. This cohort study determined the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare-seeking behaviors among frequent ED users at Taipei City Hospital, Taiwan. We included ED users aged ? 18 years admitted to Taipei City Hospital during February 2019–January 2020 (before the pandemic) and February 2020–January 2021 (during the pandemic). Frequent ED users were patients with four or more ED visits per year. Stepwise logistic regression was performed to identify predictors of frequent ED use during the COVID-19 pandemic. Frequent ED users had shorter hospital stays in the ED during the pandemic. After adjusting for sociodemographic factors and other covariates, patients with a triage status of level 4–5, pneumonia diagnosis, giddiness, or dyspnea were more likely frequent ED visitors during the COVID-19 pandemic. To reduce the risk of acquiring COVID-19, it is important to utilize territorial healthcare or telehealth to avoid inappropriate ED visits for patients with a low level of risk or chronic disease.

Keywords: emergency department; frequent users; COVID-19 pandemic (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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