코로나19 유행에 따른 보건소 진료량 변화분석 = Transitional Analysis on the healthcare services of public health centers during the COVID-19 pandemic

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

Background : In the Republic of Korea, medical personnel at the Public health centers (PHCs) were urgently deployed to the quarantine while the healthcare projects and medical treatments are scaled back during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 response on the number of visits at PHCs.
Materials and methods : The Republic of Korean National Health Insurance and Medical Aid claims data between December 2018 and August 2020 (85 weeks) were used. Interrupted time series and segmented regression model was conducted for statistical analysis by three stages (pre-wave period, the spreading period during the wave and recovery period). Subgroup analysis was performed based on the regions.
Results : The results showed that the outbreak (β: -64,448, P value < 0.0001) and the spreading (β: -7,346, P value: 0.0003) of COVID-19 decreased the number of visits. The volume increased when the social distancing was eased (β: 27,650, P value: 0.0176), and gradually increased (β 8,507, P value < 0.0001).
Conclusion : In conclusion, the COVID-19 pandemic decreased the volume of healthcare services at PHCs. However, it was not fully recovered again despite the weakening of the prevalence, implying that the vacuum of healthcare has existed at PHCs. The findings suggest the importance of alternative supports for healthcare for the vulnerable, who are the main user of health centers.