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. 2004 Apr;94(4):562-4.
doi: 10.2105/ajph.94.4.562.

The impact of the SARS epidemic on the utilization of medical services: SARS and the fear of SARS

Hong-Jen Chang  1 , Nicole Huang, Cheng-Hua Lee, Yea-Jen Hsu, Chi-Jeng Hsieh, Yiing-Jenq Chou
Affiliations

The impact of the SARS epidemic on the utilization of medical services: SARS and the fear of SARS

Hong-Jen Chang et al. Am J Public Health. 2004 Apr.

Abstract

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.

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Figures

FIGURE 1—
FIGURE 1—
Observed and predicted expenditures for ambulatory and inpatient care in the preepidemic, epidemic, and postepidemic periods, January 2002 through August 2003. The date of the initial outbreak is marked with a vertical line. Note. NT$ = New Taiwan dollars.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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