Alexander K Schuster1, Julia Pick2, Frauke Saalmann2, Norbert Pfeiffer3. 1. Zentrum für Ophthalmologische Epidemiologie und Versorgungsforschung, Augenklinik und Poliklinik, Universitätsmedizin Mainz, Langenbeckstr. 1, 55131, Mainz, Deutschland. alexander.schuster@uni-mainz.de. 2. Referat Versorgungsanalysen, AOK Baden-Württemberg, Stuttgart, Deutschland. 3. Zentrum für Ophthalmologische Epidemiologie und Versorgungsforschung, Augenklinik und Poliklinik, Universitätsmedizin Mainz, Langenbeckstr. 1, 55131, Mainz, Deutschland.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Eye diseases causing visual impairment increase with age. Thus, seeking eye care has a higher probability in older people. In this study, the rate of utilization of outpatient eye care services in Germany was analyzed. The analyses focused on older persons and persons in need of either home-based or facility-based long-term care. METHODS: A descriptive secondary data analysis of health insurance data of the AOK Baden-Württemberg from 2016 was conducted. The study population comprised all insured persons on 1 January 2016. The cohort of older persons (60 years+) was further stratified by the type of care (home-based/facility-based) and the level of care (0-3). The utilization of outpatient eye care services was defined by the reimbursement for an ophthalmologist's provision of service. RESULTS: While 39.3% of the study population 60+ years old sought eye care, the utilization rate was lower among people in need of home-based (33.0%) and facility-based care (19.3%). The utilization rates showed comparable age-dependent patterns, except for persons in need of facility-based care where rates were similar for all age groups. Utilization rates were negatively associated with increasing care levels. Only people with care level 0 showed lower utilization rates than people with care level 1. DISCUSSION: Utilization rates of eye healthcare services among older persons are considerably influenced by the need of long-term care, by the form of care as well as by the level of care.
INTRODUCTION: Eye diseases causing visual impairment increase with age. Thus, seeking eye care has a higher probability in older people. In this study, the rate of utilization of outpatient eye care services in Germany was analyzed. The analyses focused on older persons and persons in need of either home-based or facility-based long-term care. METHODS: A descriptive secondary data analysis of health insurance data of the AOK Baden-Württemberg from 2016 was conducted. The study population comprised all insured persons on 1 January 2016. The cohort of older persons (60 years+) was further stratified by the type of care (home-based/facility-based) and the level of care (0-3). The utilization of outpatient eye care services was defined by the reimbursement for an ophthalmologist's provision of service. RESULTS: While 39.3% of the study population 60+ years old sought eye care, the utilization rate was lower among people in need of home-based (33.0%) and facility-based care (19.3%). The utilization rates showed comparable age-dependent patterns, except for persons in need of facility-based care where rates were similar for all age groups. Utilization rates were negatively associated with increasing care levels. Only people with care level 0 showed lower utilization rates than people with care level 1. DISCUSSION: Utilization rates of eye healthcare services among older persons are considerably influenced by the need of long-term care, by the form of care as well as by the level of care.
Entities:
Keywords:
Age; Epidemiology; Eye diseases; Healthcare; Level of care
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