Medical Consultations Option and Influencing Factors for SARS-CoV-2 Infected Individuals - Beijing Municipality, China, December 2022.

What is already known about this topic?: In December 2022, China revised its epidemic prevention and control strategy, leading to an increase in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases and a peak in medical consultations. Government departments implemented relevant policies to coordinate and allocate medical resources throughout China. However, there is a scarcity of research on the status of medical consultations and the factors influencing them.

What is added by this report?: In the study population, over 80% of individuals with COVID-19 chose not to pursue medical care, while more than 70% of patients who sought treatment opted for primary healthcare facilities. The decision to consult medical professionals was influenced by various factors, such as age, education level, employment status, urban-rural distribution, and the presence of symptoms following COVID-19 infection.

What are the implications for public health practice?: The implementation of tiered diagnostic and treatment approaches, aligned with guidelines issued by governing bodies, is essential for mitigating the strain on medical resources. Primary healthcare institutions serve as "gatekeepers" for public health and should be further expanded in the future.