College of Nursing, Seoul National University, 103 Daehak-Ro, Jongno-Gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea.
Research Institute of Nursing Science, Seoul National University, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea.
Hum Resour Health. 2024 Jul 8;22(1):49. doi: 10.1186/s12960-024-00935-8.
Due to the rapid increase in chronic diseases in South Korea, the Korean government has expanded chronic disease management to primary care. Thus, the role of primary care nurses is critical. However, the fee for chronic disease management services provided by primary care nurses has not been set, and few studies have evaluated the value of nursing services. This study aimed to estimate the willingness to pay (WTP) for chronic disease management services provided by primary care nurses and to identify the factors that affect WTP.
This study adopted a descriptive research design and conducted a cross-sectional online survey from January 16 to 18, 2023. The inclusion criteria were community residents aged ≥ 20 years living in South Korea and capable of participating in online surveys. A total of 520 people participated in this study. A contingent valuation method (CVM) was used with double-bound dichotomous choice questions along with open-ended questions. The mean WTP was calculated using a Tobit model.
The mean WTP of the 520 study participants for one chronic disease management service provided by primary care nurses was 15,390.71 Korean won ($11.90). Factors affecting WTP were having a chronic disease, recognition of primary care nurses, and the first-bid price. Community residents with fewer chronic diseases, high awareness of primary care nurses, and a higher first-bid price showed higher WTP for chronic disease management services provided by primary care nurses.
Primary care is important worldwide due to the increasing number of chronic diseases, and Korea is no exception. However, payment for services by primary care nurses is undervalued compared to their critical role and skills. This has led to problems such as a primary care nurse shortage and burnout. This study estimated individuals' WTP for chronic disease management services provided by primary care nurses. The results can be used as a basic resource for setting the fee for services provided by primary care nurses. It is also a good starting point to understand the benefits of primary care nurse services.
由于韩国慢性病患者人数迅速增加，韩国政府已将慢性病管理扩展到基层医疗保健。因此，基层护理人员的作用至关重要。然而，基层护理人员提供的慢性病管理服务的费用尚未确定，而且很少有研究评估护理服务的价值。本研究旨在评估社区居民对基层护理人员提供的慢性病管理服务的支付意愿 (WTP)，并确定影响 WTP 的因素。
本研究采用描述性研究设计，于 2023 年 1 月 16 日至 18 日进行了横断面在线调查。纳入标准为年龄≥20 岁、居住在韩国并能够参与在线调查的社区居民。共有 520 人参与了这项研究。采用条件价值评估法 (CVM)，采用双边界二分选择问题和开放式问题。使用 Tobit 模型计算平均 WTP。
520 名研究参与者对基层护理人员提供的一项慢性病管理服务的平均 WTP 为 15,390.71 韩元（11.90 美元）。影响 WTP 的因素包括患有慢性病、对基层护理人员的认识以及第一出价。患有较少慢性病、对基层护理人员的认识较高以及第一出价较高的社区居民对基层护理人员提供的慢性病管理服务的 WTP 较高。
由于慢性病患者数量的增加，基层医疗在全球范围内很重要，韩国也不例外。然而，与基层护理人员的关键作用和技能相比，对他们提供的服务进行付费被低估了。这导致了一些问题，如基层护理人员短缺和职业倦怠。本研究评估了个人对基层护理人员提供的慢性病管理服务的 WTP。研究结果可作为确定基层护理人员提供的服务费用的基本资源。这也是了解基层护理人员服务效益的良好起点。
