• Med. J. Aust. · Nov 1998

    Factors associated with waiting time for surgery.

    • K A Clover, T A Dobbins, T J Smyth, and R W Sanson-Fisher.
    • Hunter Centre for Health Advancement, Wallsend, NSW. clover@mail.newcastle.edu.au
    • Med. J. Aust. 1998 Nov 2; 169 (9): 464-8.

    ObjectiveTo explore the factors associated with waiting times for surgery in public hospitals.SettingThree major acute care public hospitals in one Area Health Service.Participants691 adult patients entered onto the computerised booking list between 16 and 22 November 1994, and then between 16 January and 12 February 1995, were interviewed prospectively and followed up over a minimum of 18 months. Data were obtained from the Area Health Service's computerised booking system and patient self-report.ResultsRelevant surgical specialty, urgency rating, employment status and health insurance status were significantly associated with waiting time. Age, hospital, sex, country of birth, education, marital status and holding a Health Care Card were not significantly associated with waiting time. Self-reported health status (as measured by the SF-36) was not associated with waiting time for surgery.ConclusionsWaiting time for surgery was not simply determined by how urgently patients need surgery, but also by the type of surgery needed and patient's employment and health insurance status. The extent of disability experienced by patients, as measured by the SF-36, was not reflected in waiting times for surgery.

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