Factors affecting satisfaction with emergency medical services among elderly Koreans

Objective: Using representative nationwide Korea Health Panel Survey data, this study examined differences and factors influencing the level of satisfaction with EMS among the elderly. Method: This study used cross-sectional analyses with 2016 KHPS data released to the public in 2019. Using both descriptive and logistic regression analyses, this paper analyzed data from the 2016 Korean Health Panel Survey (n=4,216). Results: 4,216 respondents, 15.09% were dissatisfied and 84.91% were satisfied. In logistic multivariate analysis, Age (OR, 0.817; 95%CI:0.679-0.983; p=0.032), (OR, 095%CI:0.773-0.933; p<0.01), of ER (OR, or a proxy p<0.01), for ER (OR, 95%CI:0.565-0.888; p<0.01), in the ER (OR, 95%CI:0.613- 0.939; p=0.011, and post-services measures (OR, 0.862;95%CI:0.782-0.950; p<0.01) were inversely associated with the satisfaction of EMS. Residence (OR, 1.325; 95%CI:1.287-1.616; p<0.01) and health status (OR, 1.353;95%CI:1.125-1.627; p<0.01) were significantly associated with EMS satisfaction. Conclusion: such an age, residence, health status, the respondent is a or a proxy, and of ER had significant differences in EMS satisfaction. In addition, waiting time, reasons for visiting the emergency room, and post-service measures were factors that affected satisfaction that could be used as an indicator of the quality of emergency medical services.