OBJECTIVE: To explore the disparities in colorectal cancer (CRC) screening based on health insurance status. METHOD: We reviewed 382 medical records of asymptomatic patients aged 50-80 years, who completed their screening colonoscopies between January 2000 and May 2007. Medical records were abstracted from a private primary-care clinic and a university hospital primary-care clinic. Patients with private or public health insurance were included. General linear model and t-test were performed for statistical analysis. RESULTS: We found that the average waiting time for screening colonoscopy among privately insured patients was significantly lower than for publicly insured patients (33 vs 200 days; P < 0.001). There was no statistical difference in gender or age between the two groups. CONCLUSION: There is an urgent need for state-wide health-care policy reform to help reduce some of the observed causes of health-care disparities based on the insurance status of individuals.
OBJECTIVE: To explore the disparities in colorectal cancer (CRC) screening based on health insurance status. METHOD: We reviewed 382 medical records of asymptomatic patients aged 50-80 years, who completed their screening colonoscopies between January 2000 and May 2007. Medical records were abstracted from a private primary-care clinic and a university hospital primary-care clinic. Patients with private or public health insurance were included. General linear model and t-test were performed for statistical analysis. RESULTS: We found that the average waiting time for screening colonoscopy among privately insured patients was significantly lower than for publicly insured patients (33 vs 200 days; P < 0.001). There was no statistical difference in gender or age between the two groups. CONCLUSION: There is an urgent need for state-wide health-care policy reform to help reduce some of the observed causes of health-care disparities based on the insurance status of individuals.
Authors: Hossein Masoomi; Brian Buchberg; Phat Dang; Joseph C Carmichael; Steven Mills; Michael J Stamos Journal: J Gastrointest Surg Date: 2011-08-16 Impact factor: 3.452