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1.
Arch Dermatol Res ; 316(5): 192, 2024 May 22.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38775980

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: There has been a growing imbalance between supply of dermatologists and demand for dermatologic care. To best address physician shortages, it is important to delineate supply and demand patterns in the dermatologic workforce. The goal of this study was to explore dermatology supply and demand over time. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of workforce supply and demand projections for dermatologists from 2021 to 2036 using data from the Health Workforce Simulation Model from the National Center for Health Workforce Analysis. Estimates for total workforce supply and demand were summarized in aggregate and stratified by rurality. Scenarios with status quo demand and improved access were considered. RESULTS: Projected total supply showed a 12.45% increase by 2036. Total demand increased 12.70% by 2036 in the status quo scenario. In the improved access scenario, total supply was inadequate for total demand in any year, lagging by 28% in 2036. Metropolitan areas demonstrated a relative supply surplus up to 2036; nonmetropolitan areas had at least a 157% excess in demand throughout the study period. In 2021 adequacy was 108% and 39% adequacy for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas, respectively; these differences were projected to continue through 2036. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that the dermatology physician workforce is inadequate to meet the demand for dermatologic services in nonmetropolitan areas. Furthermore, improved access to dermatologic care would bolster demand and especially exacerbate workforce inadequacy in nonmetropolitan areas. Continued efforts are needed to address health inequities and ensure access to quality dermatologic care for all.


Subject(s)
Dermatologists , Dermatology , Health Services Needs and Demand , Humans , United States , Cross-Sectional Studies , Dermatology/statistics & numerical data , Dermatology/trends , Health Services Needs and Demand/trends , Health Services Needs and Demand/statistics & numerical data , Dermatologists/supply & distribution , Dermatologists/statistics & numerical data , Dermatologists/trends , Health Workforce/statistics & numerical data , Health Workforce/trends , Workforce/statistics & numerical data , Workforce/trends , Health Services Accessibility/statistics & numerical data , Health Services Accessibility/trends , Forecasting
2.
World Neurosurg ; 185: e16-e29, 2024 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38741324

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: There has been a modest but progressive increase in the neurosurgical workforce, training, and service delivery in Nigeria in the last 2 decades. However, these resources are unevenly distributed. This study aimed to quantitatively assess the availability and distribution of neurosurgical resources in Nigeria while projecting the needed workforce capacity up to 2050. METHODS: An online survey of Nigerian neurosurgeons and residents assessed the country's neurosurgical infrastructure, workforce, and resources. The results were analyzed descriptively, and geospatial analysis was used to map their distribution. A projection model was fitted to predict workforce targets for 2022-2050. RESULTS: Out of 86 neurosurgery-capable health facilities, 65.1% were public hospitals, with only 17.4% accredited for residency training. Dedicated hospital beds and operating rooms for neurosurgery make up only 4.0% and 15.4% of the total, respectively. The population disease burden is estimated at 50.2 per 100,000, while the operative coverage was 153.2 cases per neurosurgeon. There are currently 132 neurosurgeons and 114 neurosurgery residents for a population of 218 million (ratio 1:1.65 million). There is an annual growth rate of 8.3%, resulting in a projected deficit of 1113 neurosurgeons by 2030 and 1104 by 2050. Timely access to neurosurgical care ranges from 21.6% to 86.7% of the population within different timeframes. CONCLUSIONS: Collaborative interventions are needed to address gaps in Nigeria's neurosurgical capacity. Investments in training, infrastructure, and funding are necessary for sustainable development and optimized outcomes.


Subject(s)
Health Services Accessibility , Neurosurgeons , Neurosurgery , Nigeria , Humans , Neurosurgery/trends , Neurosurgery/education , Health Services Accessibility/trends , Health Services Accessibility/statistics & numerical data , Neurosurgeons/supply & distribution , Neurosurgeons/trends , Health Workforce/trends , Health Workforce/statistics & numerical data , Neurosurgical Procedures/trends , Neurosurgical Procedures/statistics & numerical data , Workforce/statistics & numerical data , Workforce/trends , Internship and Residency/trends , Surveys and Questionnaires , Forecasting
3.
JAMA ; 331(18): 1558-1564, 2024 May 14.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38526865

ABSTRACT

Importance: The Supreme Court decision in Dobbs v Jackson Women's Health Organization overturned the right to choose abortion in the US, with at least 16 states subsequently implementing abortion bans or 6-week gestational limits. Prior research indicates that in the 6 months following Dobbs, approximately 32 360 fewer abortions were provided within the US formal health care setting. However, trends in the provision of medications for self-managed abortion outside the formal health care setting have not been studied. Objective: To determine whether the provision of medications for self-managed abortion outside the formal health care setting increased in the 6 months after Dobbs. Design, Setting, and Participants: Cross-sectional study using data from sources that provided abortion medications outside the formal health care setting to people in the US between March 1 and December 31, 2022, including online telemedicine organizations, community networks, and online vendors. Using a hierarchical bayesian model, we imputed missing values from sources not providing data. We estimated the change in provision of medications for self-managed abortion after the Dobbs decision. We then estimated actual use of these medications by accounting for the possibility that not all provided medications are used by recipients. Exposure: Abortion restrictions following the Dobbs decision. Main Outcomes and Measures: Provision and use of medications for a self-managed abortion. Results: In the 6-month post-Dobbs period (July 1 to December 31, 2022), the total number of provisions of medications for self-managed abortion increased by 27 838 (95% credible interval [CrI], 26 374-29 175) vs what would have been expected based on pre-Dobbs levels. Excluding imputed data changes the results only slightly (27 145; 95% CrI, 25 747-28 246). Accounting for nonuse of medications, actual self-managed medication abortions increased by an estimated 26 055 (95% CrI, 24 739-27 245) vs what would have been expected had the Dobbs decision not occurred. Conclusions and Relevance: Provision of medications for self-managed abortions increased in the 6 months following the Dobbs decision. Results suggest that a substantial number of abortion seekers accessed services despite the implementation of state-level bans and restrictions.


Subject(s)
Abortifacient Agents , Abortion, Induced , Health Services Accessibility , Supreme Court Decisions , Female , Humans , Pregnancy , Abortifacient Agents/supply & distribution , Abortifacient Agents/therapeutic use , Abortion, Induced/legislation & jurisprudence , Abortion, Induced/methods , Abortion, Legal/legislation & jurisprudence , Abortion, Legal/methods , Cross-Sectional Studies , Mifepristone/supply & distribution , Mifepristone/therapeutic use , Misoprostol/supply & distribution , Misoprostol/therapeutic use , United States/epidemiology , Self Care/methods , Self Care/trends , Health Services Accessibility/legislation & jurisprudence , Health Services Accessibility/statistics & numerical data , Health Services Accessibility/trends , Internationality
5.
Rev. Hosp. Ital. B. Aires (2004) ; 43(3): 139-142, sept. 2023.
Article in Spanish | LILACS, UNISALUD, BINACIS | ID: biblio-1517906

ABSTRACT

Introducción: la medicina basada en el valor ha logrado mejorar la calidad de atención del paciente y/o la satisfacción de las personas, reduciendo costos y obteniendo mejores resultados. Se apoya sobre tres pilares básicos: la medicina basada en la evidencia, la atención centralizada en el paciente, y la sustentabilidad. Sin embargo, existen pocas publicaciones sobre la estrategia de personas navegadoras para pacientes con cáncer de pulmón, que podrían ser una herramienta clave para brindar apoyo, asegurando que tengan acceso al conocimiento y los recursos necesarios a fin de completar la vía de atención clínica recomendada. Estado del arte: se trata de una intervención en salud cuyo objetivo principal es lograr vencer las barreras relacionadas con la atención (p. ej., logísticas, burocrático-administrativas, de comunicación y financieras) para poder mejorar la calidad y el acceso a la salud en el marco de la atención del cáncer. Estas personas cumplen un papel de guía para pacientes durante el proceso de diagnóstico y tratamiento activo. Su labor consiste en vincular al paciente con los proveedores clínicos, brindar un sistema de apoyo, asegurar un acompañamiento individualizado, garantizar que tengan acceso al conocimiento y a los recursos necesarios para completar el seguimiento y/o tratamiento adecuado. Discusión/Conclusión: indudablemente, es un elemento cada vez más reconocido en los programas de cáncer, centrado en el paciente y de alta calidad. Su implementación será de especial interés en la Unidad de Práctica Integrada para personas con cáncer de pulmón. (AU)


Introduction: Value-based medicine has succeeded in improving the quality of patient care and or patient satisfaction, reducing costs, and obtaining better outcomes. It rests on three fundamental pillars: evidence-based medicine, patient-centered care, and sustainability. However, there are few publications on the people navigator strategy for lung cancer patients, which could be a crucial tool for providing support, ensuring that they have access to the knowledge and resources needed to complete the recommended clinical care pathway. State of the art: It is a health intervention whose main objective is to overcome care-related barriers (e.g., logistical, bureaucratic-administrative, communication, and financial) to improve quality and access to health in the context of cancer care. These individuals play a guiding role for patients during the diagnostic and active treatment process. Their job is to link the patient with clinical providers, provide a support system, ensure individualized accompaniment, and guarantee that they get access to the knowledge and resources necessary to complete the appropriate follow-up and, or treatment. Discussion/Conclusion: Undoubtedly, patient navigators represent an increasingly recognized element of high-quality, patient-centered cancer programs. Its implementation will be of specific interest in the Integrated Practice Unit for people with lung cancer. (AU)


Subject(s)
Humans , Patient Navigation/organization & administration , Lung Neoplasms , Patient Care Team , Patient Satisfaction , Patient-Centered Care/methods , Access to Information , Quality Improvement , Patient Navigation/history , Patient Outcome Assessment , Patient Reported Outcome Measures , Health Services Accessibility/trends
7.
Physis (Rio J.) ; 33: e33001, 2023. tab
Article in Portuguese | LILACS | ID: biblio-1431074

ABSTRACT

Resumo O SUS trouxe os princípios de universalidade, integralidade e equidade para nortear as ações e os serviços de saúde, que devem ser livres de preconceito e discriminação. A rede formal de cuidados foi compreendida como a que está institucionalizada e a rede informal é uma rede afetiva. O objetivo da pesquisa foi compreender o acesso à rede de cuidados à saúde na percepção de transexuais em um município da Zona da Mata mineira, por meio da abordagem metodológica qualitativa com estudo descritivo. Foram realizadas entrevistas semiestruturadas com oito pessoas transexuais. As informações foram analisadas por meio da hermenêutica-dialética. Foram identificadas como barreiras à rede formal de cuidados o desrespeito ao uso do nome social nos serviços de saúde e o preconceito dos profissionais. Buscam-se cuidados e informações sobre uso de hormônios nas redes informais. A rede informal acolhe, mas a busca por cuidados somente nessas redes pode trazer riscos à saúde. A pesquisa evidenciou a existência de uma forte rede afetiva no município e a necessidade do estabelecimento de uma sólida rede formal de cuidados para a população transexual com ampla participação da rede informal. A rede formal é instável e não atende as necessidades de saúde dessa população.


Abstract SUS brought the principles of universality, integrality, and equity to guide health actions and services, which must be free from any form of prejudice and discrimination. The formal care network was understood as the one that is institutionalized, and the informal network is an affective network. This research aimed to understand the access to the health care network in the perception of transsexuals in a municipality in Zona da Mata, Minas Gerais, through the qualitative methodological approach with descriptive study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight transsexual people. The information was analyzed using hermeneutics-dialectics. Barriers to the formal care network were disrespect to the use of the social name in health services, prejudice, and unpreparedness of professionals. Therefore, care and information on hormone use are sought in informal networks. The informal network welcomes, but the search for care only in these networks can bring health risks. The research showed the existence of a strong affective network in the municipality and the need to establish a solid formal care network for the transsexual population with wide participation in the informal network, since the formal network is unstable and does not meet health needs of that population.


Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Adult , User Embracement , Transsexualism , Qualitative Research , Gender Diversity , Health Services Accessibility/trends
8.
Palmas, TO; Secretaria de Estado da Saúde; 2023. 53 p. ilus..
Monography in Portuguese | LILACS, CONASS, Coleciona SUS, SES-TO | ID: biblio-1436141

ABSTRACT

O Plano de Enfrentamento à Violência Autoprovocada do Estado do Tocantins com Ênfase na Atenção Integral à Saúde foi desenvolvido para fortalecer a rede de atenção psicossocial, em colaboração com o Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) e o Sistema Único de Assistência Social (SUAS). Elaborado pelo Grupo de Trabalho "Flor de Pequi", o plano tem como objetivo qualificar a Rede de Atenção à Saúde, orientando gestores e profissionais de saúde na prevenção da violência autoprovocada, automutilação e suicídio, além de promover o acolhimento e compartilhamento do cuidado na rede de atenção à saúde. O documento foi elaborado em resposta a demandas relacionadas aos dados de violência autoprovocada, solicitações do Conselho Estadual de Defesa de Direitos da Criança e do Adolescente e do Conselho Regional de Psicologia. A metodologia, discussão, metas, ações e monitoramento também são abordados no plano.


The Plan for Confronting Self-Inflicted Violence in the State of Tocantins with an Emphasis on Comprehensive Health Care was developed to strengthen the psychosocial care network in collaboration with the Unified Health System (SUS) and the Unified Social Assistance System (SUAS). Elaborated by the "Flor de Pequi" Working Group, the plan aims to enhance the Health Care Network by providing guidance to managers and health professionals in the prevention of self-inflicted violence, self-harm, and suicide, while promoting care and support within the health care system. The document was created in response to demands related to self-inflicted violence data, requests from the State Council for the Defense of the Rights of Children and Adolescents, and the Regional Psychology Council. The plan also addresses methodology, discussion, goals, actions, and monitoring.


El Plan de Enfrentamiento a la Violencia Autoinfligida en el Estado de Tocantins con Énfasis en la Atención Integral de Salud fue desarrollado para fortalecer la red de atención psicosocial en colaboración con el Sistema Único de Salud (SUS) y el Sistema Único de Asistencia Social (SUAS). Elaborado por el Grupo de Trabajo "Flor de Pequi", el plan tiene como objetivo calificar la Red de Atención a la Salud, brindando orientación a los gestores y profesionales de la salud en la prevención de la violencia autoinfligida, la automutilación y el suicidio, además de promover el cuidado y apoyo dentro de la red de atención sanitaria. El documento fue elaborado en respuesta a demandas relacionadas con datos de violencia autoinfligida, solicitudes del Consejo Estatal para la Defensa de los Derechos de la Niñez y la Adolescencia y del Consejo Regional de Psicología. El plan también aborda la metodología, la discusión, las metas, las acciones y el monitoreo


Subject(s)
Humans , Child , Adolescent , Adult , Public Health Administration/education , Mental Health/education , Adolescent Health Services/trends , Child Welfare/psychology , Indigenous Peoples/psychology , Suicide Prevention , Health Policy , Health Services Accessibility/trends
9.
10.
BMC Public Health ; 22(1): 791, 2022 04 20.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35439984

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Mineworkers in Southern Africa have the highest rates of tuberculosis (TB) among working populations in the world (The World Bank, Benefits and costs associated with reducing tuberculosis among Southern Africa's mineworkers, 2014), making mineworkers a key population for TB program efforts. The current evaluation aimed to characterize mineworkers and former (ex-) mineworkers, and assess knowledge, attitudes and practices related to TB and HIV care among mineworkers and healthcare workers (HCWs) in Zambia. METHODS: A mixed-methods evaluation of current and former (ex-) mineworkers and HCWs was conducted in the Copperbelt and North-Western provinces, Zambia. Knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAPs) related to TB care and policies were assessed using a structured survey. Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) were conducted with current and ex-mineworkers to understand perceptions, practices, and barriers related to accessing healthcare for TB. RESULTS: Overall, 2,792 mineworkers and 94 HCWs completed the KAP survey, and 206 (171 current, 71 ex-) mineworkers participated in FGDs. Mineworkers and ex-mineworkers were knowledgeable about TB symptoms (cough; 94%), transmission (81.7%) and treatment (99.2%). Yet, barriers to seeking care were evident with 30% of mineworkers experiencing cough, and 19% reporting 2 or more TB symptoms at the time of the survey. The majority of mineworkers (70.9%) were aware of policies barring persons from working after a diagnosis of TB, and themes from FGDs and HCW comments (n = 32/62; 51.6%) recognized fear of job loss as a critical barrier to providing timely screening and appropriate care for TB among mineworkers. The majority (76.9%) of mineworkers indicated they would not disclose their TB status to their supervisor, but would be willing to share their diagnosis with their spouse (73.8%). CONCLUSION: Fear of job loss, driven by governmental policy and mistrust in mining companies, is a major barrier to healthcare access for TB among mineworkers in Zambia. As a result of these findings, the government policy prohibiting persons from working in the mines following TB disease is being repealed. However, major reforms are urgently needed to mitigate TB among mineworkers, including ensuring the rights of mineworkers and their communities to healthy living and working environments, improved social responsibility of mining companies, and facilitating choice and access to affordable, timely, and high-quality healthcare services.


Subject(s)
HIV Infections/epidemiology , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Health Services Accessibility/statistics & numerical data , Mining , Tuberculosis/epidemiology , Cough , HIV Infections/diagnosis , Health Personnel/psychology , Health Services Accessibility/economics , Health Services Accessibility/trends , Humans , Mining/organization & administration , Policy , Social Determinants of Health/economics , Social Determinants of Health/trends , Tuberculosis/diagnosis , Tuberculosis/prevention & control , Zambia/epidemiology
13.
Respir Res ; 23(1): 18, 2022 Jan 29.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35093079

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 has caused a global COVID-19 pandemic, leading to worldwide changes in public health measures. In addition to changes in the public sector (lockdowns, contact restrictions), hospitals modified care to minimize risk of infection and to mobilize resources for COVID-19 patients. Our study aimed to assess the impact of these measures on access to care and behaviour of patients with thoracic malignancies. METHODS: Thoracic oncology patients were surveyed in October 2020 using paper-based questionnaires to assess access to ambulatory care services and tumor-directed therapy during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, behaviour regarding social distancing and wearing of face masks were assessed, as well as COVID-19 exposure, testing and vaccination. Results are presented as absolute and relative frequencies for categorical variables and means with standard deviation for numerical variables. We used t-test, and ANOVA to compare differences in metric variables and Chi2-test to compare proportions between groups. RESULTS: 93 of 245 (38%) patients surveyed completed the questionnaire. Respiration therapy and physical therapy were unavailable for 57% to 70% of patients during March/April. Appointments for tumor-directed therapy, tumor imaging, and follow-up care were postponed or cancelled for 18.9%, 13.6%, and 14.8% of patients, respectively. Patients reported their general health as mostly unaffected. The majority of patients surveyed did not report reducing their contacts with family. The majority reduced contact with friends. Most patients wore community masks, although a significant proportion reported respiratory difficulties during prolonged mask-wearing. 74 patients (80%) reported willingness to be vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2. CONCLUSIONS: This survey provides insights into the patient experience during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Munich, Germany. Most patients reported no negative changes to cancer treatments or general health; however, allied health services were greatly impacted. Patients reported gaps in social distancing, but were prepared to wear community masks. The willingness to get vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2 was high. This information is not only of high relevance to policy makers, but also to health care providers.


Subject(s)
Ambulatory Care/trends , COVID-19/therapy , Delivery of Health Care, Integrated/trends , Health Services Accessibility/trends , Lung Neoplasms/therapy , Medical Oncology/trends , Practice Patterns, Physicians'/trends , Aged , Appointments and Schedules , COVID-19/diagnosis , COVID-19/transmission , COVID-19 Vaccines/therapeutic use , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Germany , Health Care Surveys , Health Status , Humans , Lung Neoplasms/diagnosis , Male , Masks/trends , Middle Aged , Physical Therapy Modalities/trends , Respiratory Therapy/trends , Social Behavior , Time Factors , Time-to-Treatment/trends
15.
Open Heart ; 9(1)2022 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35086919

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: (1) To evaluate the prevalence and hospitalisation rate of COVID-19 infections among patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) in the Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospital Cardiovascular Research Centre (RBHH CRC) Biobank. (2) To evaluate the indirect impact of the pandemic on patients with cardiomyopathy through the Heart Hive COVID-19 study. (3) To assess the impact of the pandemic on national cardiomyopathy-related hospital admissions. METHODS: (1) 1236 patients (703 DCM, 533 HCM) in the RBHH CRC Biobank were assessed for COVID-19 infections and hospitalisations; (2) 207 subjects (131 cardiomyopathy, 76 without heart disease) in the Heart Hive COVID-19 study completed online surveys evaluating physical health, psychological well-being, and behavioural adaptations during the pandemic and (3) 11 447 cardiomyopathy-related hospital admissions across National Health Service (NHS) England were studied from NHS Digital Hospital Episode Statistics over 2019-2020. RESULTS: A comparable proportion of patients with cardiomyopathy in the RBHH CRC Biobank had tested positive for COVID-19 compared with the UK population (1.1% vs 1.6%, p=0.14), but a higher proportion of those infected were hospitalised (53.8% vs 16.5%, p=0.002). In the Heart Hive COVID-19 study, more patients with cardiomyopathy felt their physical health had deteriorated due to the pandemic than subjects without heart disease (32.3% vs 13.2%, p=0.004) despite only 4.6% of the cardiomyopathy cohort reporting COVID-19 symptoms. A 17.9% year-on-year reduction in national cardiomyopathy-related hospital admissions was observed in 2020. CONCLUSION: Patients with cardiomyopathy had similar reported rates of testing positive for COVID-19 to the background population, but those with test-proven infection were hospitalised more frequently. Deterioration in physical health amongst patients could not be explained by COVID-19 symptoms, inferring a significant contribution of the indirect consequences of the pandemic. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT04468256.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Cardiomyopathy, Dilated , Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic , Health Services Accessibility , Hospitalization/statistics & numerical data , Mental Health , State Medicine/statistics & numerical data , COVID-19/epidemiology , COVID-19/psychology , COVID-19/therapy , Cardiomyopathy, Dilated/epidemiology , Cardiomyopathy, Dilated/therapy , Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic/epidemiology , Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic/therapy , Comorbidity , Emotional Adjustment , Female , Health Services Accessibility/statistics & numerical data , Health Services Accessibility/trends , Health Services Needs and Demand , Humans , Male , Mental Health/statistics & numerical data , Mental Health/trends , Middle Aged , Prevalence , SARS-CoV-2/isolation & purification , Survival Analysis , United Kingdom/epidemiology
16.
Med Care ; 60(3): 240-247, 2022 03 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34974490

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Renal dialysis is a lifesaving but demanding therapy, requiring 3 weekly treatments of multiple-hour durations. Though travel times and quality of care vary across facilities, the extent to which patients are willing and able to engage in weighing tradeoffs is not known. Since 2015, Medicare has summarized and reported quality data for dialysis facilities using a star rating system. We estimate choice models to assess the relative roles of travel distance and quality of care in explaining patient choice of facility. RESEARCH DESIGN: Using national data on 2 million patient-years from 7198 dialysis facilities and 4-star rating releases, we estimated travel distance to patients' closest facilities, incremental travel distance to the next closest facility with a higher star rating, and the difference in ratings between these 2 facilities. We fit mixed effects logistic regression models predicting whether patients dialyzed at their closest facilities. RESULTS: Median travel distance was 4 times that in rural (10.9 miles) versus urban areas (2.6 miles). Higher differences in rating [odds ratios (OR): 0.56; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.50-0.62] and greater area deprivation (OR: 0.50; 95% CI: 0.48-0.53) were associated with lower odds of attending one's closest facility. Stratified models were also fit based on urbanicity. For rural patients, excess travel was associated with higher odds of attending the closer facility (per 10 miles; OR: 1.05; 95% CI: 1.04-1.06). Star rating differences were associated with lower odds of receiving care from the closest facility among urban (OR: 0.57; 95% CI: 0.51-0.63) and rural patients (OR: 0.18; 95% CI: 0.08-0.44). CONCLUSIONS: Most dialysis patients have higher rated facilities located not much further than their closest facility, suggesting many patients could evaluate tradeoffs between distance and quality of care in where they receive dialysis. Our results show that such tradeoffs likely occur. Therefore, quality ratings such as the Dialysis Facility Compare (DFC) Star Rating may provide actionable information to patients and caregivers. However, we were not able to assess whether these associations reflect a causal effect of the Star Ratings on patient choice, as the Star Ratings served only as a marker of quality of care.


Subject(s)
Health Services Accessibility/trends , Patient Acceptance of Health Care/psychology , Quality of Health Care , Renal Dialysis/psychology , Travel/psychology , Choice Behavior , Ethnicity/psychology , Ethnicity/statistics & numerical data , Geography , Humans , Medicare , Odds Ratio , Racial Groups/psychology , Racial Groups/statistics & numerical data , Renal Dialysis/standards , Rural Population/statistics & numerical data , United States , Urban Population/statistics & numerical data
18.
Pediatr Transplant ; 26(2): e14162, 2022 03.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34633127

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has affected all aspects of the US healthcare system, including liver transplantation. The objective of this study was to understand national changes to pediatric liver transplantation during COVID-19. METHODS: Using SRTR data, we compared waitlist additions, removals, and liver transplantations for pre-COVID-19 (March-November 2016-2019), early COVID-19 (March-May 2020), and late COVID-19 (June-November 2020). RESULTS: Waitlist additions decreased by 25% during early COVID-19 (41.3/month vs. 55.4/month, p < .001) with black candidates most affected (p = .04). Children spent longer on the waitlist during early COVID-19 compared to pre-COVID-19 (140 vs. 96 days, p < .001). There was a 38% decrease in liver transplantations during early COVID-19 (IRR 0.62, 95% CI 0.49-0.78), recovering to pre-pandemic rates during late COVID-19 (IRR 1.03, NS), and no change in percentage of living and deceased donors. White children had a 30% decrease in overall liver transplantation but no change in living donor liver transplantation (IRR 0.7, 95% CI 0.50-0.95; IRR 0.96, NS), while non-white children had a 44% decrease in overall liver transplantation (IRR 0.56, 95% CI 0.40-0.77) and 81% decrease in living donor liver transplantation (IRR 0.19, 95% CI 0.02-0.76). CONCLUSIONS: The COVID-19 pandemic decreased access to pediatric liver transplantation, particularly in its early stage. There were no regional differences in liver transplantation during COVID-19 despite the increased national sharing of organs. While pediatric liver transplantation has resumed pre-pandemic levels, ongoing racial disparities must be addressed.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Health Services Accessibility/trends , Healthcare Disparities/trends , Liver Transplantation/trends , Waiting Lists/mortality , Adolescent , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Healthcare Disparities/ethnology , Humans , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Living Donors/statistics & numerical data , Male , Registries , Retrospective Studies , United States
19.
J Clin Epidemiol ; 142: 45-53, 2022 02.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34715313

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Methodological challenges for investigating the changes in healthcare utilization during COVID-19 pandemic must be considered for obtaining unbiased estimates. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: A population-based study in the Lombardy region (Italy) measured the association between the level of epidemic restrictions (increasing exposure during pre-epidemic, post-lockdown, and lockdown periods) and the recommended healthcare (outcome) for patients with schizophrenia, heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, breast cancer, and pregnancy women. Two designs are applied: the self-controlled case series (SCCS) and the usual cohort design. Adjustments for between-patients unmeasured confounders and seasonality of medical services delivering were performed. RESULTS: Compared with pre-epidemic, reductions in delivering recommended healthcare during lockdown up to 73% (95% confidence interval: 63%-80%) for timeliness of breast cancer surgery, and up to 20% (16%-23%) for appropriated gynecologic visit during pregnancy were obtained from SCCS and cohort design, respectively. Healthcare provision came back to pre-epidemic levels during the post-lockdown, with the exception of schizophrenic patients for whom the SCCS showed a reduction in continuity of care of 11% (11%-12%). CONCLUSION: Strategies for investigating the changes in healthcare utilization during pandemic must be implemented. Recommendations for taking into account sources of systematic uncertainty are discussed and illustrated by using motivating examples.


Subject(s)
COVID-19/epidemiology , Chronic Disease/therapy , Health Services Accessibility/trends , COVID-19/economics , Chronic Disease/economics , Cohort Studies , Cost of Illness , Health Services Accessibility/statistics & numerical data , Humans , Italy , Quarantine
20.
J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci ; 77(2): 389-395, 2022 02 03.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34644384

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: This article focuses on the older Latino undocumented population and anticipates how their current demographic characteristics and health insurance coverage might affect future population size and health insurance trends. METHODS: We use the 2013-2018 American Community Survey as a baseline to project growth in the Latino 55 and older undocumented population over the next 20 years. We use the cohort component method to estimate population size across different migration scenarios and distinguish between aging in place and new immigration. We also examine contemporary health insurance coverage and chronic health conditions among 55 and older undocumented Latinos from the 2003-2014 California Health Interview Survey. We then project health insurance rates in 2038 among Latino immigrants under different migration and policy scenarios. RESULTS: If current mortality, migration, and policy trends continue, projections estimate that 40% of undocumented Latino immigrants will be 55 years or older by 2038-nearly all of whom will have aged in place. Currently, 40% of older Latino undocumented immigrants do not have insurance. Without policies that increase access to insurance, projections estimate that the share who are uninsured among all older Latinos immigrants will rise from 15% to 21%, and the share who is both uninsured and living with a chronic health condition will rise from 5% to 9%. DISCUSSION: Without access to health care, older undocumented immigrants may experience delayed care and more severe morbidity. Our projections highlight the need to develop and enact policies that can address impending health access concerns for an increasingly older undocumented Latino population.


Subject(s)
Chronic Disease/ethnology , Health Services Accessibility , Hispanic or Latino/statistics & numerical data , Insurance, Health/trends , Undocumented Immigrants/statistics & numerical data , Aged , Female , Health Services Accessibility/statistics & numerical data , Health Services Accessibility/trends , Health Services Needs and Demand , Humans , Insurance Coverage , Male , Middle Aged , Population Forecast , United States/epidemiology
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