A spotlight on chronic patients’ hospitalization: Some exploratory insights

Abstract

All over the world, health care systems are experiencing the challenges raised by the epidemiological transition from the prevalence of acute diseases to the preponderance of chronic illnesses. However, the traditional design for acute conditions of most of health care systems – which triggers a hospital-centric culture – is not consistent with the special health needs of people suffering from long-term conditions. In fact, the access of chronic patients to hospital services has been variously contested to be inappropriate and ineffective to meet their demand for care. Sticking to these considerations, this study investigates the factors that influence the occurrence of hospitalization and the length of hospital stays of a representative sample of Italian chronic patients. Secondary data were collected from the European Health Interview Survey. The sample consisted of 8,127 people. A probit model and a multiple regression analysis were performed to obtain some evidence on the regressors of Italian patients’ access to hospital care. Among others, gender, work condition, health services’ use and health status were found to have a role in influencing chronic patients’ behaviors. The study findings prompted the formulation of several avenues for future developments, which provide some food for thought to policy makers and inspire an agenda for further research.