Identification of hidden health utilization services and costs in adults awaiting tertiary care following mild traumatic brain injury in Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Concussion, 2016 · DOI: 10.2217/cnc-2016-0009 · Published: August 8, 2016
Simple Explanation
The study examined healthcare visits and costs for adults with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) waiting for specialized care. It found a high number of healthcare visits during the wait, leading to substantial costs. Researchers collected data from 201 adult patients referred for specialized care, averaging 10 months post-injury. Patients reported their healthcare visits while awaiting specialized treatment. The study estimated that excess healthcare costs for mTBI patients in Ontario could reach $11 million annually, highlighting the need for better diagnosis and coordinated care.
Key Findings
- 1Males reported an average of 37 healthcare provider visits, while females reported 30, costing over $500,000 Canadian dollars for potentially excess care in one year.
- 2The highest cost was for physiotherapy visits ($169,643.76), with the total cost for all visits in the cohort reaching approximately $585,263.39.
- 3No significant differences were found in the total number of healthcare provider visits based on age or sex.
Research Summary
Practical Implications
Improved Diagnosis
Accurate and early diagnosis of mTBI can reduce unnecessary healthcare visits.
Coordinated Care
Effective coordination of follow-up care for those needing tertiary care can increase cost-effectiveness.
Resource Allocation
Understanding healthcare service utilization patterns is critical for planning and optimizing available resources.
Study Limitations
- 1The study population may not be representative of all mTBI patients referred to tertiary care.
- 2Lack of information on patient outcomes makes it difficult to ascertain what is deemed 'excess' care.
- 3Recall bias in patient self-reporting of healthcare service visits may affect the accuracy of the data.