Waiting for a Specialist Consultation for a New Condition in Ontario: Impacts on Patients' Lives

Abstract

As leading barriers to specialist care, wait times are at the forefront of the Canadian healthcare policy agenda. However, knowledge is limited about how wait times affect patients' lives. We utilized the 2010 Canadian Community Health Survey to examine the experience of patients requiring a consultation with a medical specialist for a new condition. Multivariate logistic regression predicted the likelihood that a respondent self-reported his or her life was affected. Subsequent cross-tabulations determined the ways in which life was affected. Females, middle-aged respondents, new immigrants and those with low income and poor health status were more likely to report their life was affected. Worry, stress and anxiety were the most frequently reported impacts, followed by pain, stress on family/friends, deterioration of health and loss of work. Our research demonstrates a need to address the impacts of wait times on health and well-being, with a focus on particular subpopulation groups.

Disparities in rate, triggers, and management in pediatric and adult cases of suspected drug‐induced anaphylaxis in Canada

“…The low percentage of adults and children assessed for DIA may be due to patient‐related factors or due to the factors related to the Canadian heath system. Studies suggest that young adults, between the ages of 17–44 years, are the least compliant with using referrals to be assessed by medical specialists , which could be attributed to patients' other priorities and inability to take time off work . Health system‐related factors that could contribute to under assessment of DIA include low number of allergists in Canada and long waiting time for specialist assessment .…”

“…Studies suggest that young adults, between the ages of 17–44 years, are the least compliant with using referrals to be assessed by medical specialists , which could be attributed to patients' other priorities and inability to take time off work . Health system‐related factors that could contribute to under assessment of DIA include low number of allergists in Canada and long waiting time for specialist assessment . Regardless of its cause, non‐confirmed drug allergy may lead to mislabeling of patients .…”

“…Recent studies suggest that suspected cases of NSAID allergy should be assessed with oral challenges , however, only a few challenges were conducted in our population. The underutilization of challenges in our population is likely attributable to the fact that such challenges are usually only performed in a hospital, under the supervision of an allergist and there is limited access and long wait times for specialist assessment in some areas of Canada . It is possible that in cases of DIA attributed to NSAIDS with negative challenges, NSAIDs may have acted as cofactors or augmenting factors rather than as a sole culprit for anaphylaxis .…”

A novel methodology to measure waiting times for community-based specialist care in a public healthcare system

“…[5] Canadian patients waiting for a consultation with a medical specialist for a new medical condition reported worry, stress, anxiety, deterioration of health and loss of work. [6] Longer WT in publicly-funded health systems could increase purchase of private insurance [7] and increase the national health expenditure.…”

The Effects of Session Standardization and Template Optimization on Improving Access to High-Demand Pediatric Subspecialty Care

“…Any obstacles for patients to access care cause disturbances throughout the health care organization impacting productivity, efficiency, health care costs, and the quality of care delivered ( Huang & Verduzco, 2015 ). In addition, patients and families experience significant stress and anxiety during long waiting periods for specialty appointments ( Harrington et al, 2014 ; Mulcahy et al, 2010 ).…”