Consideration factors of older adults seeking medical treatment at outpatient services in Taiwan.

BACKGROUND

Taiwan will become a super-aged society by 2025, leading to the more frequent use of outpatient services by older adults for medical treatment compared with other age groups. Understanding the outpatient service consideration factors of older adults seeking medical treatment can improve health care quality. This study explored the selection factors and crucial considerations of older adults for outpatient services.

METHODS

Qualitative study was conducted. Purposive sampling was used to recruit 16 older adults over 65 years of age with chronic disease who were patients of an internal medicine department and regularly returned for checkups. Data including reasons for receiving medical treatment, factors affecting their choice of hospitals, and health care and environmental considerations were collected through structured interviews.

RESULTS

The older adults identified four factors. (1) The care of doctors: The doctors possessed professional skill, allocate sufficient consultation time, and undertake effective communication. (2) The care of other medical professionals: Other medical professionals provided services in a cordial manner. (3) The accessibility and convenience of outpatient services: Convenient transportation and registration as well as short consultation wait time. (4) Environment and equipment: The hospital had the novel facilities and satisfactory barrier-free equipment.

CONCLUSIONS

The older adults cared most about the adequacy of diagnosis and treatment by doctors and other medical professionals. In addition, they reported having higher satisfaction with hospitals that provide comprehensive medical facilities, fast and convenient medical procedures, and short wait times.