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Factors Underlying Unmet Medical Needs: A Cross-Sectional Study

Author

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  • Young Suk Yoon

    (Department of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation, Jaseng Hospital of Korean Medicine, 536 Gangnam-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul 06110, Korea)

  • Boyoung Jung

    (Jaseng Spine and Joint Research Institute, Jaseng Medical Foundation, 3F, 538 Gangnam-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul 06110, Korea)

  • Dongsu Kim

    (KM Policy Research Center, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, 1672, Yuseong-daero, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34054, Korea)

  • In-Hyuk Ha

    (Jaseng Spine and Joint Research Institute, Jaseng Medical Foundation, 3F, 538 Gangnam-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul 06110, Korea)

Abstract

Unmet medical needs refer to the state where a patient’s medical care or service is insufficient, inadequate, or lacking. Numerous factors influence unmet medical needs. We used a multi-pronged approach to explore the factors influencing unmet medical needs in the Korean health care system according to Anderson’s Behavioral Model of Health Services Use. To this end, we used data from 11,378 adults over 19 years old in the 2016 Korea Health Panel Survey and performed multiple logistic regression analyses. The odds of experiencing unmet medical needs were significantly greater among older participants (odds ratio (OR) = 2.51, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.78–3.56); low-income participants (OR = 1.41, 95% CI = 1.14–1.75); non-workers (OR = 1.24, 95% CI = 1.06–1.46); those who had received non-covered treatment (OR = 1.24, 95% CI = 1.08–1.42); those who did not regularly exercise (OR = 1.23, 95% CI = 1.02–1.48); and those experiencing pain (OR = 2.29, 95% CI = 1.97–2.66), worse self-rated health status (OR = 2.29, 95% CI = 1.89–2.79), and severe depression (OR = 2.46, 95% CI = 1.39–4.35). About one in ten Korean citizens (11.60%) have unmet medical service needs. Policies that strengthen coverage for physically and economically vulnerable groups are needed.

Suggested Citation

  • Young Suk Yoon & Boyoung Jung & Dongsu Kim & In-Hyuk Ha, 2019. "Factors Underlying Unmet Medical Needs: A Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(13), pages 1-19, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:13:p:2391-:d:245992
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Hye-Young Jang & Young Ko & Song-Yi Han, 2020. "The Effects of Social Networks of the Older Adults with Limited Instrumental Activities of Daily Living on Unmet Medical Needs," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(1), pages 1-10, December.
    2. Jong-Hwa Jang & Ji-Liang Kim & Jae-Hyun Kim, 2021. "Associations between Dental Checkups and Unmet Dental Care Needs: An Examination of Cross-Sectional Data from the Seventh Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2016–2018)," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(7), pages 1-11, April.
    3. Pengfei Sheng & Tingting Yang & Tengfei Zhang, 2021. "The Unmet Medical Demand among China’s Urban Residents," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-13, November.

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