Open AccessThe Impact of the SARS Epidemic on the Utilization of Medical Services: SARS and the Fear of SARS
Author(s) -
Hong Chang,
Nicole Huang,
Cheng Hua Lee,
Yea Jen Hsu,
ChungChing Hsieh,
Yiing Jenq Chou
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
american journal of public health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.284
H-Index - 264
eISSN - 1541-0048
pISSN - 0090-0036
DOI - 10.2105/ajph.94.4.562
Subject(s) - medicine , environmental health , severe acute respiratory syndrome , health care , covid-19 , family medicine , medical emergency , emergency medicine , disease , infectious disease (medical specialty) , economics , economic growth
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.