The Same Middle East Respiratory Syndrome-Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) yet Different Outbreak Patterns and Public Health Impacts on the Far East Expert Opinion from the Rapid Response Team of the Republic of Korea

Fifth, the accelerated MERS-CoV infection rate in Korea was also caused by patient behaviors such as visiting multiple clinics and "doctor shopping." For example, easy access and low economic barriers to hospital admission established under the universal healthcare insurance system allowed one outbreak-affected patient to visit multiple clinics. Low medical costs, mandated by government regulations, made it more bent on patients in order to profit private clinics and hospitals to in the competition. Previously, this healthcare structure served as an asset that offered equal healthcare to the Korean public.