J Korean Soc Spine Surg.  2020 Mar;27(1):19-25. 10.4184/jkss.2020.27.1.19.

Medical Care Utilization Behavior for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Spine Disease: A Questionnairebased Study of Orthopaedic Spine Center Outpatients at a Tertiary Educational Hospital

• Park SM
• Go SJ
• Han H
• Kim HJ
• Kim H
• Chang BS
• Yeom JS

• KMID: 2503667
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4184/jkss.2020.27.1.19

Abstract

Study Design: Prospective survey analysis.
Objectives
The purpose of our study was to investigate medical care utilization behavior and the conceptions of disease treatment among spine disease patients. Summary of Literature Review: Analyzing the medical care utilization behavior and conceptions of disease treatment among spine disease patients is important.
Materials and Methods
A survey was administered to 500 first-time patients who visited the spine center of a tertiary educational hospital from May 2017 to August 2019.
Results
A total of 479 valid responses were analyzed. A minority of patients (16.1%) visited the tertiary educational hospital without having previously visited a private hospital. Spinal procedures and surgery were considered negatively by 52.6% of respondents, and 14.8% of patients reported negative perceptions of orthopedic drugs.
Conclusions
Extensive efforts will be required to improve unreasonable medical utilization behavior by changing patients’ incorrect knowledge and beliefs about hospitals, diseases, and treatments.

Keyword

Tertiary educational hospital; Spine center; Medical behavior; Awareness