The Association Between Telehealth Utilization and Policy Responses on COVID-19 in Japan: Interrupted Time-Series Analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Telehealth using telephones or online communication is being promoted as a policy initiative in several countries. However, there is a lack of research on telehealth utilization in a country such as Japan that offers free access to medical care and regulates telehealth provision-particularly with respect to COVID-19.

Objective

The present study aimed to clarify telehealth utilization, the characteristics of patients and medical institutions using telehealth, and the changes to telehealth in Japan in order to support the formulation of policy strategies for telehealth provision.

Methods

Using a medical administrative claim database of the National Health Insurance and Advanced Elderly Medical Service System in Mie Prefecture, we investigated patients who use

SUBMITTER: Ishikawa T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9278403 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature