Daniel D Matlock1, Traci E Yamashita2, Sung-Joon Min3, Alexander K Smith4, Amy S Kelley5,6, Stacy M Fischer7. 1. Division of Geriatrics, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado. 2. Undergraduate Medical Education, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado. 3. Division of Health Care Policy and Research, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado. 4. Division of Geriatrics, Department of Medicine, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, California. 5. Brookdale Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City, New York. 6. Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Centers, James J Peters Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Bronx, New York. 7. Division of General Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To compare healthcare use in the last months of life between physicians and nonphysicians in the United States. DESIGN: A retrospective observational cohort study. SETTING: United States. PARTICIPANTS: Fee-for-service Medicare beneficiaries: decedent physicians (n = 9,947) and a random sample of Medicare decedents (n = 192,006). MEASUREMENTS: Medicare Part A claims data from 2008 to 2010 were used to measure days in the hospital and proportion using hospice in the last 6 months of life as primary outcome measures adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics and regional variations in health care. RESULTS: Inpatient hospital use in the last 6 months of life was no different between physicians and nonphysicians, although more physicians used hospice and for longer (using the hospital: odds ratio (OR) = 0.98, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.93-1.04; hospital days: mean difference 0.26, P = .14); dying in the hospital: OR = 0.99, 95% CI = 0.95-1.04; intensive care unit (ICU) or critical care unit (CCU) days: mean difference 0.35 more days for physicians, P < .001); using hospice: OR = 1.23, 95% CI = 1.18-1.29; number of days in hospice: mean difference 2.06, P < .001). CONCLUSION: This retrospective, observational study is subject to unmeasured confounders and variation in coding practices, but it provides preliminary evidence of actual use. U.S. physicians were more likely to use hospice and ICU- or CCU-level care. Hospitalization rates were similar.
OBJECTIVES: To compare healthcare use in the last months of life between physicians and nonphysicians in the United States. DESIGN: A retrospective observational cohort study. SETTING: United States. PARTICIPANTS: Fee-for-service Medicare beneficiaries: decedent physicians (n = 9,947) and a random sample of Medicare decedents (n = 192,006). MEASUREMENTS: Medicare Part A claims data from 2008 to 2010 were used to measure days in the hospital and proportion using hospice in the last 6 months of life as primary outcome measures adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics and regional variations in health care. RESULTS: Inpatient hospital use in the last 6 months of life was no different between physicians and nonphysicians, although more physicians used hospice and for longer (using the hospital: odds ratio (OR) = 0.98, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.93-1.04; hospital days: mean difference 0.26, P = .14); dying in the hospital: OR = 0.99, 95% CI = 0.95-1.04; intensive care unit (ICU) or critical care unit (CCU) days: mean difference 0.35 more days for physicians, P < .001); using hospice: OR = 1.23, 95% CI = 1.18-1.29; number of days in hospice: mean difference 2.06, P < .001). CONCLUSION: This retrospective, observational study is subject to unmeasured confounders and variation in coding practices, but it provides preliminary evidence of actual use. U.S. physicians were more likely to use hospice and ICU- or CCU-level care. Hospitalization rates were similar.
Authors: Joseph J Gallo; Joseph B Straton; Michael J Klag; Lucy A Meoni; Daniel P Sulmasy; Nae-Yuh Wang; Daniel E Ford Journal: J Am Geriatr Soc Date: 2003-07 Impact factor: 5.562
Authors: Craig C Earle; Bridget A Neville; Mary Beth Landrum; John Z Ayanian; Susan D Block; Jane C Weeks Journal: J Clin Oncol Date: 2004-01-15 Impact factor: 44.544