치과대학병원의 당일 접수 환자 특성 및 관련 요인

Abstract

This study aimed to identify the characteristics of walk-in patients who visited a dental university hospital more than once (existing patient). Study subjects were outpatient treatment cases between March 1, 2019, and February 29, 2020, and the factors affecting walk-in visits were analyzed by demographic characteristics, reservation characteristics, and treatment type characteristics. In order to assess the factors influencing walk-in visits, multiple logistic regression was utilized. The unit of analysis was an outpatient visit, and a generalized estimating equations model was used because the same patient may visit multiple times. The final study subjects were 146,567 cases in total and the walk-in rate of existing patients was 14.1%. In terms of demographic characteristics, the likelihood of walk-in visits was higher in the case of male patients, patients aged between 20-39, patients residing in Seoul and Familial relationships with hospital employees. In the case of reservation characteristics, existing patients were more likely to make walk-in visits from 8:00 to 9:59, on Saturday and Monday. In terms of treatment type characteristics, walk-in odds differed depending on the treatment department and diagnosis. Existing patients showed a higher odds of walk-in visits in non-reimbursement treatment. In the case of existing patients with treatment at other departments, the probability of having walk-ins was lower than that of patients without other medical treatment. Based on the results, it could be identified that each related factor has a predictable pattern. The results of this study suggests that there are relatively high percentage of walk-in cases in a dental university hospital and different patient characteristic are related to walk-in.