상용치료원 이용이 노인 만성질환자의 주관적 건강상태와 삶의 질에 미치는 영향: 패널순서형로짓모형을 이용한 한국의 사례 = The Impact of Using Usual Source of Care on the Subjective Health Status and Quality of Life of Elderly Patients with Chronic Diseases: A Korean Case Using Panel Ordered Logit Model

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

Background: The management of chronic diseases in older adults aged 65 years or older has an important effect on health status and quality of life. This study analyzed the impact of having a usual source of care (USC) and its type on subjective health status and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among older adults with chronic diseases. Methods: Using data from 2012 to 2018 Korea Health Panel Survey, this study conducted Frequency analysis, chi-square test, independent sample t-test, one-way analysis of variance test, fixed-effects in ordered logistic regression, and fixed-effects in logistic regression analysis in 12,258 elderly people aged 65 or older with chronic diseases. Results: Having a USC improved subjective health status (odds ratio [OR], 1.09; p=0.138) and HRQoL (OR, 1.03; p=0.641), though not statistically significant. Clinic type USC significantly improved subjective health status (OR, 1.23; p=0.001) and HRQoL (OR, 1.15; p=0.049). Hospital type USC reduced the likelihood of improvement in subjective health status (OR, 0.81; p=0.009) and HRQoL (OR, 0.79; p=0.013). Conclusion: This study highlights that USC contributes to improving health and quality of life for older adults with chronic diseases. In particular, clinic-level USC can serve as a foundation for strengthening primary care and introducing a primary care physician system. Moreover, continuous and preventive management through USC can enhance access to medical services and reduce economic burdens. Policy strategies should focus on reinforcing institutional support, integrating healthcare facilities with community resources, and implementing educational programs to enhance older adults’ self-management capabilities.