Terminal Care and Attended Deaths Increase in Japan During COVID-19 Pandemic
A recent study by a Japanese research group has revealed a significant increase in the use of terminal care and attended deaths at home during the COVID-19 pandemic. The surge began in April 2020, coinciding with the government’s declaration of the first COVID-19 state of emergency. This rise is attributed to a decrease in hospital visits by outpatients to avoid infection and a reduction in inpatients due to hospital restrictions on visitors.
The study, led by Takuya Aoki and Masashi Shibata, analyzed data from the health ministry’s NDB database to track changes in home medical care services from April 2019 to March 2022. While scheduled home visit medical care remained stable, house calls and terminal care services saw a noticeable increase.
Furthermore, the research highlighted disparities in access to home medical care services across different regions, emphasizing the need for certified home care clinics and hospitals in each area to improve medical resources.
This study sheds light on the shifting healthcare trends in Japan during the pandemic, emphasizing the importance of enhancing home medical care services for patients in need.
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