Factors Influencing Care Coordination for Chronic Disease Patients with a Usual Source of Care

Purpose: Care coordination is a key function that enables consistent and integrated care by connecting various medical, welfare, community resources throughout a patient’s healthcare journey. This study was aimed at examining the provision of care coordination and its associated factors among adult patients with hypertension or diabetes who have a usual source of care, using Andersen’s Behavioral Model. Methods: A total of 2,576 adults with hypertension or diabetes who reported having a usual source of care were analyzed by using data from the 2021 Korea Health Panel Survey. Both patient-level and provider-level variables were categorized into predisposing, enabling, and need factors based on Andersen’s model. Complex sample logistic regression analysis was performed. Results: Only 44.7% of participants reported experiencing care coordination. The likelihood of receiving care coordination was significantly lower among females, and higher among those not currently employed, those not engaging in regular physical activity, individuals with multiple chronic conditions, and those whose usual source of care was a general practitioner. Conclusion: Care coordination is essential for ensuring continuity of care and effective management among patients with chronic conditions, and it is influenced by both patient and provider characteristics. As Korea prepares to launch a nationwide community-based integrated care system in 2026, care coordination will serve as a vital foundation for linking local resources and delivering comprehensive care. Based on the patient and provider factors identified in this study, effective support at the policy and system levels will be necessary to operate and sustain this function.