AUTHOR=Harju Erika , Speierer Alexandre , Jungo Katharina Tabea , Levati Sara , Baggio Stéphanie , Tancredi Stefano , Noor Nazihah , Rodondi Pierre-Yves , Cullati Stéphane , Imboden Medea , Keidel Dirk , Witzig Melissa , Frank Irène , Kohler Philipp , Kahlert Christian , Crivelli Luca , Amati Rebecca , Albanese Emiliano , Kaufmann Marco , Frei Anja , von Wyl Viktor , Puhan Milo A. , Probst-Hensch Nicole , Michel Gisela , Rodondi Nicolas , Chocano-Bedoya Patricia
TITLE=Changes in Healthcare Utilization During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Potential Causes—A Cohort Study From Switzerland
JOURNAL=International Journal of Public Health
VOLUME=68
YEAR=2023
URL=https://www.ssph-journal.org/journals/international-journal-of-public-health/articles/10.3389/ijph.2023.1606010
DOI=10.3389/ijph.2023.1606010
ISSN=1661-8564
ABSTRACT=Objectives: To describe the frequency of and reasons for changes in healthcare utilization in those requiring ongoing treatment, and to assess characteristics associated with change, during the second wave of the pandemic.
Methods: Corona Immunitas e-cohort study (age ≥20 years) participants completed monthly questionnaires. We compared participants reporting a change in healthcare utilization with those who did not using descriptive and bivariate statistics. We explored characteristics associated with the number of changes using negative binomial regression.
Results: The study included 3,190 participants from nine research sites. One-fifth reported requiring regular treatment. Among these, 14% reported a change in healthcare utilization, defined as events in which participants reported that they changed their ongoing treatment, irrespective of the reason. Reasons for change were medication changes and side-effects, specifically for hypertension, or pulmonary embolism treatment. Females were more likely to report changes [Incidence Rate Ratio (IRR) = 2.15, p = 0.002]. Those with hypertension were least likely to report changes [IRR = 0.35, p = 0.019].
Conclusion: Few of those requiring regular treatment reported changes in healthcare utilization. Continuity of care for females and chronic diseases besides hypertension must be emphasized.