Effect of the COVID-19 lockdown on disease recognition and utilisation of healthcare services in the older population in Germany: a cross-sectional study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

There is little evidence about the utilisation of healthcare services and disease recognition in the older population, which was urged to self-isolate during the COVID-19 lockdown.

Objectives

We aimed to describe the utilisation of physician consultations, specialist referrals, hospital admissions and the recognition of incident diseases in Germany for this age group during the COVID-19 lockdown.

Design

Cross-sectional observational study.

Setting

1,095 general practitioners (GPs) and 960 specialist practices in Germany.

Subjects

2.45 million older patients aged 65 or older.

Methods

The number of documented physician consultations, specialist referrals, hospital admissions and incident diagnoses during the imposed lockdown in 2020 was d

SUBMITTER: Michalowsky B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7717143 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature