D Massel1. 1. The University of Western Ontario, London, Canada. dmassel@lhsc.on.ca
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To determine whether there were differences in waiting time for a consultation for a nonurgent cardiology problem among specialists in an academic centre compared with those in community practice. DESIGN: Cross-sectional telephone survey. SETTING: Southwestern Ontario. PARTICIPANTS: Academically affiliated and community-based specialists in cardiology or internal medicine with an interest in cardiology. OUTCOME MEASURE: Waiting period in weeks for outpatient consultation. RESULTS: Among community specialists, those with cardiology training had significantly longer waiting times than those without for nonurgent cardiology consultation (median 8.6 versus 3.8 weeks, P=0.0077). Waiting times for consultation were significantly longer for academic specialists than for those in community practice (median 9.1 versus 4.1 weeks, P=0.0013). Significantly longer waiting times exist in communities with a population greater than 100,000 (median 9.1 versus 4.0 weeks, P=0.0005). CONCLUSIONS: Waiting times for consultation for a nonurgent cardiology problem are long. Waiting times are longer for physicians with certification in cardiology, in the academic medical centre and in larger communities.
OBJECTIVE: To determine whether there were differences in waiting time for a consultation for a nonurgent cardiology problem among specialists in an academic centre compared with those in community practice. DESIGN: Cross-sectional telephone survey. SETTING: Southwestern Ontario. PARTICIPANTS: Academically affiliated and community-based specialists in cardiology or internal medicine with an interest in cardiology. OUTCOME MEASURE: Waiting period in weeks for outpatient consultation. RESULTS: Among community specialists, those with cardiology training had significantly longer waiting times than those without for nonurgent cardiology consultation (median 8.6 versus 3.8 weeks, P=0.0077). Waiting times for consultation were significantly longer for academic specialists than for those in community practice (median 9.1 versus 4.1 weeks, P=0.0013). Significantly longer waiting times exist in communities with a population greater than 100,000 (median 9.1 versus 4.0 weeks, P=0.0005). CONCLUSIONS: Waiting times for consultation for a nonurgent cardiology problem are long. Waiting times are longer for physicians with certification in cardiology, in the academic medical centre and in larger communities.
Authors: Christopher S Simpson; Jeffrey S Healey; Francois Philippon; Paul Dorian; L Brent Mitchell; John L Sapp; Blair J O'Neill; Marcella M Sholdice; Martin S Green; Larry D Sterns; Raymond Yee Journal: Can J Cardiol Date: 2006-07 Impact factor: 5.223
Authors: Amardeep Thind; Cathy Thorpe; Andrea Burt; Moira Stewart; Graham Reid; Stewart Harris; Judith Belle Brown Journal: Healthc Policy Date: 2007-02