J Prev Med Public Health.  2007 Jan;40(1):51-58. 10.3961/jpmph.2007.40.1.51.

Continuity of Care of Patient with Diabetes and Its Affecting Factors in Korea

• Yoon CH
• Lee SJ
• Choo S
• Moon OR
• Park JH

• KMID: 792458
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3961/jpmph.2007.40.1.51

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to estimate the continuity of care for all Koreans with diabetes and to identify factors affecting the continuity of care. METHODS: We obtained National Health Insurance claims data for patients with diabetes who visited health-care providers during the year 2004. A total of 1,498,327 patients were included as study subjects. Most Frequent Provider Continuity (MFPC) and Modified, Modified Continuity Index (MMCI) were used as indexes of continuity of care. A multiple linear regression analysis was used to identify factors affecting continuity of care. RESULTS: The average continuity of care in the entire population of 1,498,327 patients was 0.89+/-0.17 as calculated by MFPC and 0.92+/-0.16 by MMCI. In a multiple linear regression analysis, both MFPC and MMCI were lower for females than males, disabled than non-disabled, Medicaid beneficiaries than health insurance beneficiaries, patients with low monthly insurance contributions, patients in rural residential areas, and patients whose most frequently visited provider is the hospital. CONCLUSIONS: The continuity of care for patients with diabetes is high in Korea. However, women, the disabled and people of low socio-economic status have relatively low continuity of care. Therefore, our first priority is to promote a diabetes management program for these patients.

Keyword

Diabetes mellitus; Continuity of care

MeSH Terms

Poverty
National Health Programs
Middle Aged
Medical Assistance
Male
Linear Models
Korea/epidemiology
Insurance Claim Review
Humans
Female
Diabetes Mellitus/economics/epidemiology/*therapy
Continuity of Patient Care/economics/*statistics & numerical data
Aged
Adult