Analysis of the Causal Loop Structure of Public Health Systems' Response to COVID-19 Using Media Reports in Korea

Analysis of the Causal Loop Structure of Public Health Systems' Response to COVID-19 Using Media Reports in Korea

This study aimed to analyze the causal loop structure governing the response of public health systems to COVID-19, utilizing media news articles spanning from January 2020 to June 2022. With the increasing number of COVID-19 patients, there is a corresponding rise in the frequency of news keywords such as “lack of healthcare workers”, “business interruption”, and “medical collapse”, indicating a risk of business discontinuity within the public health system. Through the examination of causal loop diagrams, this study identified seven reinforcing and six balancing feedback loops influencing the continuity of public health systems and preventing disruptions. The findings elucidate the dominant structure intensifying burnout conditions among public health workers and propose mechanisms through which these conditions can be alleviated by factors influencing system continuity. The findings from this analysis suggest a basis for policymakers and healthcare stakeholders to craft effective strategies to mitigate the impact of crises and ensure the robustness of healthcare systems in the face of future challenges.