Continuity of Care on Medical Utilization, Health Status and Satisfaction among the Veterans Living in Veteran’s Home

• Main Authors: Yi-Yin Chen, 陳怡吟
• Other Authors: Yong-Yuan Chang
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2004
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/49073123177649691503

碩士 === 高雄醫學大學 === 公共衛生學研究所碩士在職專班 === 92 === Nowadays the rapidly changing medical technology develops toward specific medical specialties. Doctors focus on learning professional knowledge, paying more attention to medical therapy of particular diseases than the health of people and the whole community. Medical expenses are promoted as well. In order to have the present medical services system improved, more attention in the future should be paid to the primary medical cares. The previous studies have shown that the continuity of primary care can contribute to the health of patients, reduce medical expenses, and promote the medical satisfaction. Objectives: this study is to research on the different models of outpatient services of Health Care in institutions. One is the continuous medical service with fixed doctors, and the other is with supporter doctors. Differences in the medical treatment, health status, and satisfaction with medical care of veterans are discussed here. Also the relevant factors about medical treatment and health condition of the veteran servicemen are studied. Methods: transverse methodology has been used to survey on the veteran servicemen in the four public care institutions. 232 effective research samples have been used. Structural questionnaires have helped to record their basic information, medical utilization, SF-36 health-related life of quality, and satisfaction with medical services. Results: all the objects of this study are male with the average age of 80.4 years old. Most of them suffer from 2.1 diseases averagely, and high blood pressure is in the majority of 48.7%. The average times of total outpatient services are 39.1 times per year. The care institutions with the fixed doctors and continuous medical services have more veterans that go to the steady doctors. These patients have a higher use of institutions clinics, and higher rate of institutions clinics , higher use of emergency Furthermore, they have better body function and vitality, higher satisfaction with primary medical cares in institutions. The relevant factors of using the medical services are the number of chronic diseases, exercise habits, health condition, and satisfaction with the medical services in Health Care. In physical health, the major elements are the number of chronic diseases, exercise habits, and numbers of times of hospitalization and outpatient services in Health Care. In mental health, the major elements are satisfaction with the medical treatment in Health Care, the number of chronic diseases, and the number of times of emergency cases. Conclusion:This research appeals that the veterans have higher rate of using the medical services , and higher satisfaction with the primary medical care when the Health Care in an institution offers fixed doctors and continuous medical services. Suggestion:Medical services are toward specialization. Hospitals develop toward large-size model. People are used to going to the area hospital. Medical centers look forward high technology medical services. Along this line, the primary medical care are ignored and gradually atrophying. Hopefully the importance of the primary medical care will receive more attention in the future, and the system of family physicians can be promoted. A care institution with outpatient services should be established with full-time doctors and continuous, complete medical treatment and health counseling, which can have the veterans with complete care and better health condition. On the other hand, this research about the needing of medical services, health condition, and satisfaction with medical care of the veteran servicemen can be reference materials for organizing a care institution in the future.