COVID-19 Pandemic Disrupted Disease Management in Taiwan

Strategic Insights -

A recent study published in Scientific Reports has found that the COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on healthcare-seeking behavior in Taiwan, particularly affecting middle-aged and elderly populations. The study, conducted by researchers from Kaohsiung Armed Forces General Hospital, utilized the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) model to examine the factors influencing healthcare-seeking intentions during the pandemic. The results suggest that fear of infection led patients to delay seeking medical care, resulting in disrupted disease management and a poorer quality of life.

Key Takeaways:

  • The COVID-19 pandemic posed a significant threat to global public health, particularly affecting Taiwan's middle-aged and elderly populations.
  • Fear of infection led patients with critical illnesses to delay seeking medical care, disrupting disease management and quality of life.
  • The study applied an expanded TPB model, incorporating 'perceived risk' and 'trust,' to examine healthcare-seeking behavior during the pandemic and provide insights for improving healthcare accessibility and reducing mortality rates.
  • The results suggest strategies for improving healthcare accessibility and patient trust in a post-pandemic context.
  • The study concluded that the 'trust' construct had the most significant impact on healthcare-seeking behavioral intentions (b = 0.373, p < 0.01).
  • The study utilized a cross-sectional design and purposive sampling method, collecting 526 valid questionnaires.
  • The study's results highlight the need for healthcare providers to address patient fears and improve communication to enhance trust and healthcare-seeking behavior.
  • The study's findings have implications for improving healthcare accessibility and reducing mortality rates in post-pandemic contexts.

Statistics:

  • 526 valid questionnaires were collected for the study.
  • The study found that the 'trust' construct had the most significant impact on healthcare-seeking behavioral intentions (b = 0.373, p < 0.01).
  • The pandemic affected Taiwan's middle-aged and elderly populations, who experienced disrupted disease management and quality of life.

Sources:

  • Healthcare-seeking intentions of middle-aged and elderly individuals with critical diseases: an expanded TPB model in the post-pandemic era. Scientific Reports, 2025;15(1):28996.
  • Nature Publishing Group - www.nature.com/
  • Scientific Reports - www.nature.com/srep/