Table 3 Patterns of healthcare services utilization for technology-dependent children and their caregivers
Variables | Responses | n (%) or mean ± SD |
|---|---|---|
Healthcare use within recent 6 months (days) a | All hospital days combined | 41.3 ± 45.6 |
Number of days visiting OPD | 18.2 ± 30.0 | |
Length of stay in the general ward | 17.0 ± 30.3 | |
Length of stay in the intensive care unit | 5.1 ± 20.6 | |
Number of days visiting ED | 1.5 ± 1.5 | |
Transportationb | Private car or private ambulance | 57 (78.1) |
Public transport (bus, subway, train, etc.) | 14 (19.2) | |
Public transportation support | 10 (13.7) | |
Travel time (from home to hospital) | < 1 h | 18 (24.3) |
≥1 h, < 3 h | 36 (48.6) | |
≥3 h | 20 (27.0) | |
Outpatient waiting time in the hospital | < 30 min | 12 (16.2) |
≥30 min, < 1 h | 27 (36.5) | |
≥1 h, < 2 h | 23 (31.1) | |
≥2 h | 12 (16.2) | |
Outpatient consultation time in the hospital (physician encounter time) | < 5 min | 29 (39.2) |
≥ 5 min, < 10 min | 32 (43.2) | |
≥10 min, < 15 min | 10 (13.5) | |
≥15 min | 3 (4.1) | |
Rehabilitation (within recent 3 months) | Both (at hospital and home) | 22 (29.7) |
At hospital | 19 (25.7) | |
At home | 4 (5.4) | |
None | 29 (39.2) | |
How to get medical adviceb | Ask acquaintance or self-help group | 55 (76.4) |
Contact hospital or medical staff | 43 (59.7) | |
Search Internet | 36 (50.0) | |
Search professional books | 5 (6.9) | |
Ways to contact the hospitalb (when the caregiver needs medical advice at home, within the last year) | Wait until planned OPD visit or admission | 27 (36.5) |
Never have asked to any hospital related staff | 26 (35.1) | |
Call to the ward where child was previously hospitalized | 22 (29.7) | |
Call to a pediatric ED | 7 (9.5) | |
Call to a palliative care team (if applicable) | 6 (8.1) | |
Others c | 3 (4.1) |