Regional Variation in Accessing Regional Hospitals for Cancer Patients

Moon, Yeon Ok; Park, Eun Cheol; Shin, Hai Rim; Won, Young Joo; Jung, Kyu Won; Lee, Jin Hee; Hwang, Soon Young; Kong, Hyun Joo; Hwang, Seung Sik; Lee, Jong Koo; Kong, In Sik; Hahm, Myung Il

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
To investigate the differences in accessing regional hospitals and the utilization rate of hospitals located in other regions for cancer patients by regions.
METHODS
Data for the utilization of regional hospitals for cancer patients were obtained from the Korean National Cancer Incidence Databases in 1999 and 2002. We divided the regions into 16 provinces by administrative districts. We using the SAS 9.1.3 to analyze difference of regional self-sufficiency and the Arcview 3.2 to show in a schematize for regional variation of the regional self-sufficiency.
RESULTS
There were regional variations in the regional self-sufficiency of cancer patients. Especially, Jeollanam-do(1999 13.6%, 2002 12.8%), Gyeongsangbuk-do(1999 22.0%, 2002 20.7%), and Chungcheongnam-do(1999 27.8%, 2002 27.1%) had low regional self-sufficiency. The regional self-sufficiency in Gyeonggi-do and utilization rate of cancer patients who lived in other regions were increased between 1999 and 2002(regional self-sufficiency: 1999 37.2%, 2002 48.2%).
CONCLUSION
The results of this study showed that there were regional variation in utilization of regional hospitals for cancer patients. Accessibility of cancer patients in metropolitan areas was higher than in small size cities, medium size cities, and rural county areas. These results suggested that it should be considered support medical facilities for cancer patients in rural areas where have lower relevance rate.