Christopher Tran1, Harindra C Wijeysundera1, Feng Qui1, Jack V Tu1, R Sacha Bhatia2. 1. From the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences (C.T., H.C.W., F.Q., J.V.T., R.S.B.), Women's College Hospital Institute for Health Systems Solutions and Virtual Care (R.S.B.), Institute for Health Policy, Management and Evaluation (H.C.W., J.V.T., R.S.B.), Division of Cardiology, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Center (H.C.W., J.V.T.), and Peter Munk Cardiac Center of the University Health Network - Toronto General Hospital (R.S.B.), University of Toronto Medical School, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada (C.T.). 2. From the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences (C.T., H.C.W., F.Q., J.V.T., R.S.B.), Women's College Hospital Institute for Health Systems Solutions and Virtual Care (R.S.B.), Institute for Health Policy, Management and Evaluation (H.C.W., J.V.T., R.S.B.), Division of Cardiology, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Center (H.C.W., J.V.T.), and Peter Munk Cardiac Center of the University Health Network - Toronto General Hospital (R.S.B.), University of Toronto Medical School, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada (C.T.). sacha.r.bhatia@wchospital.ca.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Little is known about variations in the quality of ambulatory care between urban and rural communities for patients with stable ischemic heart disease. The objectives of this study were to understand the effect of rurality on variations of ambulatory processes of care and outcomes for patients with stable ischemic heart disease. METHODS AND RESULTS: A population-based cohort study was conducted, which included all Ontario patients with stable ischemic heart disease confirmed on cardiac catheterization between October 1, 2008, and September 30, 2011. Patients were categorized as rural or urban based on the Rurality Index for Ontario score. Ambulatory processes of care of interest were diagnostic testing, medication usage, and access to general/speciality physicians over a 1-year time-horizon. Primary outcome was 1-year mortality. Secondary outcomes included 1-year myocardial infarction, repeat cardiac/all-cause hospitalization, and emergency department visits. The cohort consisted of 38 804 patients, of whom 34 949 (90%) were urban and 3855 (10%) were rural patients. After risk-adjustment, rural patients had lower rates of cholesterol assessment (odds ratios 0.41; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.38-0.44; P<0.001), hemoglobin A1C assessment (odds ratios 0.41; 95% CI, 0.38-0.44; P<0.001), and statin use (odds ratios 0.67; 95% CI, 0.57-0.79; P<0.001) compared with urban patients. Rural patients had fewer total ambulatory physician visits (rate ratio 0.76; 95% CI, 0.75-0.78; P<0.001)), primary care (0.76; 95% CI, 0.74-0.78; P<0.001), and cardiology visits (0.71; 95% CI, 0.68-0.74; P<0.001) over 1 year. Emergency department utilization was higher among rural patients (odds ratios 1.82; 95% CI, 1.70-1.96; P<0.001), but myocardial infarction, hospitalization, and mortality rates were similar. CONCLUSIONS: Despite variation in ambulatory processes of care between urban and rural patients with stable ischemic heart disease, there were no outcome differences.
BACKGROUND: Little is known about variations in the quality of ambulatory care between urban and rural communities for patients with stable ischemic heart disease. The objectives of this study were to understand the effect of rurality on variations of ambulatory processes of care and outcomes for patients with stable ischemic heart disease. METHODS AND RESULTS: A population-based cohort study was conducted, which included all Ontario patients with stable ischemic heart disease confirmed on cardiac catheterization between October 1, 2008, and September 30, 2011. Patients were categorized as rural or urban based on the Rurality Index for Ontario score. Ambulatory processes of care of interest were diagnostic testing, medication usage, and access to general/speciality physicians over a 1-year time-horizon. Primary outcome was 1-year mortality. Secondary outcomes included 1-year myocardial infarction, repeat cardiac/all-cause hospitalization, and emergency department visits. The cohort consisted of 38 804 patients, of whom 34 949 (90%) were urban and 3855 (10%) were rural patients. After risk-adjustment, rural patients had lower rates of cholesterol assessment (odds ratios 0.41; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.38-0.44; P<0.001), hemoglobin A1C assessment (odds ratios 0.41; 95% CI, 0.38-0.44; P<0.001), and statin use (odds ratios 0.67; 95% CI, 0.57-0.79; P<0.001) compared with urban patients. Rural patients had fewer total ambulatory physician visits (rate ratio 0.76; 95% CI, 0.75-0.78; P<0.001)), primary care (0.76; 95% CI, 0.74-0.78; P<0.001), and cardiology visits (0.71; 95% CI, 0.68-0.74; P<0.001) over 1 year. Emergency department utilization was higher among rural patients (odds ratios 1.82; 95% CI, 1.70-1.96; P<0.001), but myocardial infarction, hospitalization, and mortality rates were similar. CONCLUSIONS: Despite variation in ambulatory processes of care between urban and rural patients with stable ischemic heart disease, there were no outcome differences.
Authors: Sarah K Brode; Hannah Chung; Michael A Campitelli; Jeffrey C Kwong; Alex Marchand-Austin; Kevin L Winthrop; Frances B Jamieson; Theodore K Marras Journal: Emerg Infect Dis Date: 2019-07 Impact factor: 6.883
Authors: Konsta Teppo; Jussi Jaakkola; Fausto Biancari; Olli Halminen; Miika Linna; Jari Haukka; Jukka Putaala; Pirjo Mustonen; Janne Kinnunen; Alex Luojus; Saga Itäinen-Strömberg; Juha Hartikainen; Aapo L Aro; K E Juhani Airaksinen; Mika Lehto Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-09-06 Impact factor: 4.614
Authors: Rajan Sacha Bhatia; Dennis T Ko; Cherry Chu; Ruth Croxford; Zachary Bouck; Tharmegan Tharmaratnam; Paul Dorian; Heather Ross; Peter C Austin; Kaveh Shojania; Shaun G Goodman Journal: CJC Open Date: 2021-02-09
Authors: Juan G Duero Posada; Yasbanoo Moayedi; Limei Zhou; Michael McDonald; Heather J Ross; Douglas S Lee; R Sacha Bhatia Journal: J Am Heart Assoc Date: 2018-03-27 Impact factor: 5.501