June 13, 2016

Causes of disparities in surgical care

By: Judy Mathias
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Editor's Note

Healthcare disparities are widely established and include differential access, care, and outcomes stemming from factors such as minority group and socioeconomic status, finds this meta-analysis.

In this examination of 328 studies of healthcare disparities, researchers identified five major themes for causes of surgical disparities:

  • patient factors−demographic, physiologic, and cultural
  • provider factors−variations in physician practice related to factors such as level of training
  • healthcare system factors−patient access to care including healthcare coverage policies and clinical protocols
  • hospital clinical care and quality factors−variations related to structure, process, and outcomes
  • postoperative care and rehabilitation factors−access to postacute care and mismanaged care preferences.

This meta-analysis was part of a research summit convened by the American College of Surgeons and National Institutes of Health to develop a national surgical disparities research agenda and funding priorities.

 

Adil H. Haider, MD, MPH 1,2; Irene Dankwa-Mullan, MD, MPH 3; Allysha C. Maragh-Bass, PhD, MPH 1,2; Maya Torain, BS 1,2; Cheryl K. Zogg, MSPH, MHS 1,2; Elizabeth J. Lilley, MD, MPH 1,2; Lisa M. Kodadek, MD 4; Navin R. Changoor, MD 1,2; Peter Najjar, MD, MBA 1,2; John A.

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