"Healthcare Access and Digitization: A Comparative Analysis of Primary Care, 1177 Direct, and Private Digital Platforms"

Sandra Stern, Evalill Nilsson

Keywords: Digital healthcare, primary care, healthcare utilization, eHealth, 1177 Direct, demographic analysis

Background:

The digitization of healthcare is a proposed solution to address significant demographic challenges. Among these advancements, digital care services for patients have emerged as a cornerstone. The "1177 Direct" service, introduced across many Swedish regions in 2023, is a triage tool facilitating patient interactions via chat and video. Despite growing research on healthcare digitization, gaps remain in understanding how patients utilize these digital services compared to traditional healthcare.

Research questions:

What are the demographic and behavioral differences among patients using traditional primary care, 1177 Direct, and private digital healthcare providers?

Method:

This retrospective registry-based study employs a quantitative approach. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (tables and graphs) and comparative statistical tests, including t-tests and chi-squared tests, to identify differences between patient groups accessing care through the three healthcare pathways.

Results:

The findings reveal significant variations in demographics and utilization patterns. Among the contacts (n= 956,756) who have been managed via traditional primary care, the average age is 56.77 years with a standard deviation of 23.05. The average age when contacting 1177 directly is 36.44 years (n= 3,717) with a standard deviation of 18.87. For contact that took place with private digital healthcare providers, the mean age is 33.53 (n=56,260) and the standard deviation is 18.37. The results show that younger patients predominantly use digital healthcare, with women accounting for the majority of contacts across both 1177 Direct (61%, n=2,253) and private digital providers (66%, n=37,301). Additionally, digital care services are primarily used by patients residing in larger municipalities compared to traditional primary care.

Conclusions:

This study highlights distinct demographic patterns in healthcare utilization across different access points. The findings suggest a growing preference for digital services among younger populations and urban residents, emphasizing the need to address disparities in digital access and healthcare delivery.

Points for discussion:

1. How can healthcare systems ensure equitable access to digital services for rural populations?

2. What strategies can address the gender disparities observed in digital healthcare utilization?

3. How can digital healthcare be tailored to better meet the needs of older populations?

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