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http://dx.doi.org/10.14408/KJEMS.2022.26.1.129

Relationship between frequency of emergency room visits and socioeconomic factors  

Shin, Yo-Han (Department of Emergency Medical Service, Gachon University)
Jung, Sang-Woo (Department of Emergency Medical Technology, Dongnam University)
Kim, Bo-Kyun (Department of Emergency Medical Service, Gachon University)
Publication Information
The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services / v.26, no.1, 2022 , pp. 129-138 More about this Journal
Abstract
Purpose: To analyze the frequency of emergency room visits according to socioeconomic factors of emergency room visitors. Methods: In this study, frequency analysis, percentage analysis, and x2 test were performed using the SPSS 23.0 program based on the 2018 data from the Korea Health Panel. Results: Among 1,648 participants included in this study, 1,279 visited the emergency room only once in the past year, while 369 visited the emergency room more than once. The relationship between frequency of emergency room visits and socioeconomic factors was analyzed using x2 test, and no statistically significant relationship was noted between emergency room visits and education, economic activity, insurance type, and individual quartile income. However, a significant relationship was noted between emergency room visits and being handicap and living in households with quintile income. Conclusion: The study determined the relationship between frequency of emergency room visits and socioeconomic factors. A follow-up study analyzing socioeconomic factors of outpatient departments, 119 ambulance transport services, and frequency of emergency room visits among chronically ill patients is needed to provide basic data for establishing health policies among different socioeconomic strata.
Keywords
Frequency of emergency room visits; Socioeconomic factors; Korea Health Panel; Household income; Handicap;
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