Klinische Psychiatrie Offener Zugang

Abstrakt

Anxiety Associated with Medical Care Avoidance

Lakshmi Narayanan* and N Padma Priya

Since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, emergency health care utilization has acutely declined by 23% for heart attacks, 20% for strokes, and 10% for hyperglycemic crises. Ambulatory visits have also declined by nearly 60%. The lack of health care utilization is concerning as it may result in significant medical complications resulting from untreated medical problems. A survey conducted around Chennai suggested that fear of COVID-19 infection may be one such factor. Recent research has documented pervasive anxiety and depression during the COVID-19 pandemic.