Maxwell C Alley1, Andrew S Mason2, David J Tybor3, Mary E Pevear4, Michael D Baratz4, Eric L Smith4. 1. Class of 2018, Albany Medical College, Albany, New York. 2. Class of 2018, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts. 3. Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts. 4. Department of Orthopaedics, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Previous studies have documented disparities in total joint arthroplasty (TJA) utilization among African American and Hispanic patients, but utilization among non-English-speaking Chinese patients in the United States has not been studied. METHODS: To quantify the utilization rate and detect ethnic factors effecting TJA utilization in non-English-speaking Chinese patients, data were gathered prospectively from the practice of a single fellowship-trained Caucasian surgeon from October 2012 to February 2013. A customized survey was drafted and validated in collaboration with a social scientist. Questions assessed demography, lifestyle factors, socioeconomic status, language skills, cultural beliefs, and prior experience with surgery. Surveys were administered in patients' native language and were collected in a blinded fashion. RESULTS: Overall, 269 patients were surveyed (157 Caucasian and 65 Chinese), 85 of which were recommended surgery (42 Caucasian and 26 Chinese). Seventy-six percent of Caucasian patients elected surgery, compared to 35% of Chinese patients. A multivariate logistic regression showed Chinese ethnicity to be a significant predictor of surgical decision after controlling for age, gender, socioeconomic status, and education. Several questions drafted to detect cultural differences in the aforementioned 6 categories were answered significantly differently (P < .05, chi-square). CONCLUSION: Language, lack of familiarity with surgery, lack of TJA knowledge, family members' role in decision making, and preference for a doctor of the same race may contribute to decreased utilization of TJA in this population. We believe a better understanding of the cultural beliefs and behaviors of Chinese patients will help physicians provide more optimal care to this patient population.
BACKGROUND: Previous studies have documented disparities in total joint arthroplasty (TJA) utilization among African American and Hispanic patients, but utilization among non-English-speaking Chinese patients in the United States has not been studied. METHODS: To quantify the utilization rate and detect ethnic factors effecting TJA utilization in non-English-speaking Chinese patients, data were gathered prospectively from the practice of a single fellowship-trained Caucasian surgeon from October 2012 to February 2013. A customized survey was drafted and validated in collaboration with a social scientist. Questions assessed demography, lifestyle factors, socioeconomic status, language skills, cultural beliefs, and prior experience with surgery. Surveys were administered in patients' native language and were collected in a blinded fashion. RESULTS: Overall, 269 patients were surveyed (157 Caucasian and 65 Chinese), 85 of which were recommended surgery (42 Caucasian and 26 Chinese). Seventy-six percent of Caucasian patients elected surgery, compared to 35% of Chinese patients. A multivariate logistic regression showed Chinese ethnicity to be a significant predictor of surgical decision after controlling for age, gender, socioeconomic status, and education. Several questions drafted to detect cultural differences in the aforementioned 6 categories were answered significantly differently (P < .05, chi-square). CONCLUSION: Language, lack of familiarity with surgery, lack of TJA knowledge, family members' role in decision making, and preference for a doctor of the same race may contribute to decreased utilization of TJA in this population. We believe a better understanding of the cultural beliefs and behaviors of Chinese patients will help physicians provide more optimal care to this patient population.
Authors: Patricia C Dykes; Mica Curtin-Bowen; Troy Li; Avery Pullman; Alexandra Businger; Stuart Lipsitz; Ania Syrowatka; Michael Sainlaire; Tien Thai; David W Bates Journal: AMIA Annu Symp Proc Date: 2022-02-21
Authors: Bella Mehta; Jackie Szymonifka; Shirin Dey; Iris Navarro-Millan; Stephen Grassia; Lisa A Mandl; Anne R Bass; Linda Russell; Michael Parks; Mark Figgie; Lily Lee; Joe Nguyen; Susan M Goodman Journal: BMC Musculoskelet Disord Date: 2019-02-09 Impact factor: 2.362