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Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Healthcare-Seeking Behaviors among Frequent Emergency Department Users: A Cohort Study

Author

Listed:
  • Yi-Chang Chou

    (Department of Education and Research, Taipei City Hospital, Taipei 106, Taiwan
    Institute of Public Health, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 112, Taiwan
    Contributed equally to this work.)

  • Yung-Feng Yen

    (Department of Education and Research, Taipei City Hospital, Taipei 106, Taiwan
    Institute of Public Health, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 112, Taiwan
    Section of Infectious Diseases, Taipei City Hospital, Yangming Branch, Taipei 111, Taiwan
    Department of Health Care Management, National Taipei University of Nursing and Health Sciences, Taipei 112, Taiwan)

  • Dachen Chu

    (Department of Health and Welfare, University of Taipei, Taipei 100, Taiwan
    Institute of Hospital and Health Care Administration, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 112, Taiwan
    Department of Neurosurgery, Taipei City Hospital, Taipei 103, Taiwan)

  • Hsiao-Yun Hu

    (Department of Education and Research, Taipei City Hospital, Taipei 106, Taiwan
    Institute of Public Health, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 112, Taiwan
    Department of Health and Welfare, University of Taipei, Taipei 100, Taiwan)

Abstract

In 2020, Taiwan’s healthcare system faced a notable burden imposed by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Emergency department (ED) is a high-risk area for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 transmission. The effect of COVID-19 on the utilization of ED services among frequent ED users remains unknown. This cohort study determined the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare-seeking behaviors among frequent ED users at Taipei City Hospital, Taiwan. We included ED users aged ≥ 18 years admitted to Taipei City Hospital during February 2019–January 2020 (before the pandemic) and February 2020–January 2021 (during the pandemic). Frequent ED users were patients with four or more ED visits per year. Stepwise logistic regression was performed to identify predictors of frequent ED use during the COVID-19 pandemic. Frequent ED users had shorter hospital stays in the ED during the pandemic. After adjusting for sociodemographic factors and other covariates, patients with a triage status of level 4–5, pneumonia diagnosis, giddiness, or dyspnea were more likely frequent ED visitors during the COVID-19 pandemic. To reduce the risk of acquiring COVID-19, it is important to utilize territorial healthcare or telehealth to avoid inappropriate ED visits for patients with a low level of risk or chronic disease.

Suggested Citation

  • Yi-Chang Chou & Yung-Feng Yen & Dachen Chu & Hsiao-Yun Hu, 2021. "Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Healthcare-Seeking Behaviors among Frequent Emergency Department Users: A Cohort Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(12), pages 1-10, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:12:p:6351-:d:573396
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Van den Heede, Koen & Van de Voorde, Carine, 2016. "Interventions to reduce emergency department utilisation: A review of reviews," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 120(12), pages 1337-1349.
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    1. Walaa Kinaan & Patrícia Soares & João Victor Rocha & Paulo Boto & Rui Santana & Sílvia Lopes, 2023. "The Pandemic-Related Factors Associated with Emergency Department Visits in Portugal throughout Two Years of the Pandemic: A Retrospective Population-Based Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(2), pages 1-12, January.
    2. Hind A. Beydoun & May A. Beydoun & Brook T. Alemu & Jordan Weiss & Sharmin Hossain & Rana S. Gautam & Alan B. Zonderman, 2022. "Determinants of COVID-19 Outcome as Predictors of Delayed Healthcare Services among Adults ≥50 Years during the Pandemic: 2006–2020 Health and Retirement Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-24, September.

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