Health service utilization in patients with major depressive disorder experiencing significant somatic symptoms in Korea

Jong Min Woo, Joo Eon Park, Sang Keun Chung, Jin Pyo Hong, Eui Jung Kim, Sang Yeol Lee, Kang Seob Oh, Won Kim, Seong Kyeon Lim, Eun Ho Kang, Bum Hee Yu

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: This study investigated the patterns of health service utilization among patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) and significant somatic symptoms, who visited psychiatrists in a tertiary care setting. Methods: A total of 211 patients (51 males and 160 females) were recruited from a convenience sampling and assessed for severity of depressive and somatic symptoms. A structured questionnaire was employed to assess their pattern of healthcare service utilization, specifically, type of treatment first sought, out-of-pocket medical expenses, and time from onset of depressive symptoms to first treatment. Results: MDD patients with significant somatic symptoms tended to visit a non-psychiatrist physician first. Those with milder somatic symptoms who first visited non-physician practitioners spent a significantly greater amount on out-of-pocket medical expenses than did those who first visited physicians to get treatment. The patients with chief complaints of psychological and emotional symptoms were more likely to visit a psychiatrist first; however, a longer time interval lapsed before these patients received treatment. Conclusions: Patients with MDD experiencing significant symptoms are unlikely to access appropriate services in a timely manner. The results have implications for improving health care delivery for this population.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)23-28
Number of pages6
JournalInternational Journal on Disability and Human Development
Volume9
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 2010

Keywords

  • Health service utilization
  • Korea
  • Major depressive disorder
  • Psychiatry
  • Somatic symptom

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