| Summary: | 碩士 === 國立臺北大學 === 經濟學系 === 91 === The purpose of this study is to investigate whether subjective and objective health will have different impacts on the demand for health services of the elderly. Subjective health is measured by an individual’s self-rated health status. On the other hand, three variables including chronic disease, activities of daily living disability, and physical functional ability restriction are used to measure objective health.
The data we use in this study are from nationwide questionnaire. First, we use Ordered Probit Model to estimate factors that affect self-rated health status. Probit Model and Negative Binomial Model are then used to analyze the probability and frequency decision respectively. Since outpatient service includes Western medicine, Chinese medicine and dentistry in the National Health Insurance system, we also analyze the demand for outpatient service of the aged according to these categories.
The empirical results show that older, female, less severe chronic diseases, better physical functional ability, no restriction due to physical health or emotional problem, no aches and pains, drinking wine and doing exercise, are related to better self-rated health status. Finally, in the aspects of Western medicine and Chinese medicine outpatient services, the cause for the aged to see a doctor is because of physically uncomfortable or just low self-rated health status is not clear. We are only sure that when the elderly really have dental problem, they will go to see a dentist.
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