Utilization Patterns of Medical Care of Elementary School Children after the Implementation of Medical Reform: Comparison with a Previous Study in 1998

Yang, Eun Seok; Kim, Mi Jin; Kim, Eun Young; Rho, Young Il; Park, Sang Kee; Park, Yeong Bong; Moon, Kyung Rye

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to assess the patterns of medical care utilization and factors which determine medical care utilization of elementary school children after the implementation of medical reform. METHODS: We performed the questionnaires on 1,031 children from two elementary schools in Gwangju city from June 1 to 30 June, 2001. These data were compared with data from a previous study in 1988 to evaluate the changes in medical care utilization after the implementation of medical reform. RESULTS: The prevalence rate of illness was 52.2%. The rate of persons who received medical treatment when they were sick, was 53.6%. The reasons for not treating illness were mild symptoms (84.7%), no time and too busy(4.3%), and economic causes(9.3%). The selection distribution among various medical facilities was pediatric hospital(47.2%), otolaryngologic hospital(25.8%), internal medicine(11.2%), family medicine(4.9%) and pharmacy(4.6%). The most frequently utilized medical facility for respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms was a pediatric hospital. The major factors influencing the selection of a medical facility were geographic accessibility and good results. The most common reason for the first visit to pediatric hospital, otolaryngologic hospital or internal medicine department was geographic accessibility. CONCLUSION: Compared with a previous study in 1998, this data showed a decreased treatment rate in spite of an increased prevalence rate. The useage of pharmacies markedly decreased but visits to pediatric hospitals did not increase.