Trends in Healthcare Access in Japan during the First Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic, up to June 2020

Abstract

We evaluated the impact of the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on healthcare access in Japan in terms of the number of outpatients and hospitalized patients as well as the length of hospital stays, during the first wave of the pandemic, up to June 2020. This observational study evaluated the monthly average number of outpatients per day at hospitals, the average number of hospitalized patients per day, and the average length of hospital stays per patient, from December 2010 to June 2020, using the hospital reports data, which are open aggregated data on the utilization of hospitals from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. These numbers were compared with those from the same period of previous years, using a quasi-Poisson regression model. We found a nationwide decrease in the number of outpatients in general hospitals and hospitalized patients, particularly in long-term care beds in Japan, as well as the excess length of hospital stays among psychiatric care patients during the first wave of the COVID-19. This limited access to healthcare demonstrated the importance of the long-term health monitoring of vulnerable populations and the need for urgent management support to healthcare facilities in preparation for possible prolonged pandemics in the future.

The Trend of Psychiatric Visits and Psychiatric Medication Prescription Among People Tested for SARS-CoV-2 During the Initial Phase of COVID-19 Pandemic in South Korea

“…The daily visit rates for anxiety, depression, and schizophrenia spectrum were significantly reduced by approximately 29.8%, 14.8%, and 13.3%, respectively. In addition, a Japanese study found a decrease in the number of outpatients in psychiatric hospitals [ 41 ]. These results suggest that patients with pre-existing mental illness tend to be more reluctant to visit hospitals.…”

“…This shows that the spread of the virus may increase the risk of recurrence due to enhanced social distancing and the lack of adequate medical services due to the closure of some medical centers. A study from Japan showed that the length of hospitalization for mental health care increased during COVID-19 [ 41 ]. In addition, another study found that psychiatric inpatients increased by 21.4% among those over 65 years of age following the COVID-19 outbreak.…”

“…In addition, a Japanese study found a decrease in the number of outpatients in psychiatric hospitals. 41 These results suggest that patients with pre-existing mental illness tend to be more reluctant to visit hospitals. Some people with high anxiety may be hesitant to seek medical treatment since they consider hospitals to be places where they could be contacted with a contagious virus.…”

Several Effective Measures for Minus Excess Mortality of COVID-19 in Japan Including Mutual Interrelationships and Long-Term Care Facilities (LTCF)

“…The impact of COVID-19 on healthcare access was evaluated regarding patient visits. As a result, limited access showed the crucial function of long-term monitoring of vulnerable people and the urgent necessity of supporting medical facilities in the future [19].…”

Interruption of regular dental visits during the COVID‐19 pandemic due to concerns regarding dental visits was associated with periodontitis in Japanese office workers

“…The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic has spread worldwide, with many cases occurring in Japan. People are reluctant to visit healthcare facilities due to concerns regarding contracting COVID‐19 12 . According to a recent survey of 1000 men and women in their teens to their 70s conducted by the Japanese Association of Private Dental Schools, 13 21.4% of those surveyed reported that they discontinued regular dental visits during the period from February to August 2020, indicating that many individuals missed opportunities to receive professional dental care.…”