An Investigation of the Factors Reducing the Use of Hospital Services: A Systematic Review
Abstract
Background and aims: Hospital service utilization has declined in many health systems due to policy shifts, limited resources, and alternative care approaches. This study aimed to systematically review the factors contributing to a reduction in the use or volume of hospital services.
Methods: In this systematic review, articles published from 2018 to 2023 were reviewed by searching relevant keywords based on the PRISMA guidelines. The systematic search was conducted using English-language texts related to the research question, "What are the factors reducing hospital services?" and electronic databases such as PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, ProQuest, and Web of Science. The CASP checklist was used to evaluate the methodological quality of the included studies. Two researchers performed all the stages; finally, the selected articles were summarized in tables.
Results: The database search yielded a total of 3705 articles, of which 30 were included in the review. The results of extracting the findings from the articles indicated four main concepts of factors reducing hospital services: "therapeutic factors," "administrative-support factors," "preventive factors," and "technological factors." The studies assessed the impact of medications, treatment pathways, guidelines and standards, and treatment methods as effective therapeutic factors. Regulations were considered administrative or support factors, while health measures to control the spread of COVID-19 and various vaccines…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a systematic review. Its evidence level is 1 of 5 (Highest · pooled evidence). Pooled evidence from several studies sits at the top of the evidence pyramid.
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