The Impact of the SARS Epidemic on the Utilization of Medical Services: SARS and the Fear of SARS
American Journal of Public HealthPublished 1 April 2004Open access
Hong-Jen Chang, Nicole Huang, Cheng-Hua Lee, Yea‐Jen Hsu, Chi‐Jeng Hsieh, Yiing‐Jenq Chou
Citations289
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TL;DR
People's fears of SARS appear to have had strong impacts on access to care, with significant reductions in ambulatory care, inpatient care, and dental care at the peak of the SARS epidemic.
Abstract
Using interrupted time-series analysis and National Health Insurance data between January 2000 and August 2003, this study assessed the impacts of the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) epidemic on medical service utilization in Taiwan. At the peak of the SARS epidemic, significant reductions in ambulatory care (23.9%), inpatient care (35.2%), and dental care (16.7%) were observed. People's fears of SARS appear to have had strong impacts on access to care. Adverse health outcomes resulting from accessibility barriers posed by the fear of SARS should not be overlooked.
Keywords
PsychologyDentistryHealth Professions
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