Effects of high-speed rail on health-care service utilization

Abstract

IntroductionThe development of public transportation in a community might facilitate the utilization of health-care services in the region. The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of high-speed rail service on the utilization of health-care services among the patients diagnosed with cancer. MethodsThe study population comprised patients living in rural regions and who were diagnosed as having cancer during a five year period (2002–2006). The final sample included 3449 (49% men, 51% women). Of those, 918 participants used health-care services in Seoul. The pattern of outpatient and inpatient visits was estimated using interrupted time series analysis. ResultsThere were significant differences in healthcare utilization by gender, age, region, and income levels. In the patient population studied, prior to the introduction of the Korean Train Express, the utilization of outpatient services had been increasing. Beginning with the introduction of the Korean Train Express, the number of patients utilizing outpatient services significantly increased across time. The introduction of the Korean Train Express did not influence the utilization of inpatient health-care services among those in the population studied. ConclusionsThe development of public transportation appeared to help facilitate the utilization of outpatient services for higher income patients diagnosed with cancer in Korea. This research can inform both transportation and Healthcare service planning for rural communities. Additional efforts need to be considered for low income populations.