Why do not all hip- and knee patients facing long waiting times accept re-referral to hospitals with short waiting time?

Willingness of patients to change surgeons for a shorter waiting time for joint arthroplasty

“…13 In Denmark, however, 60% of patients waiting more than 6 months for joint surgery accepted re-referral to another hospital with a shorter wait. 8 Waiting time, distance, travel time and previous experience with the hospital influenced their acceptance of re-referral.…”

“…However, patients are not always willing to accept re-referral to a provider with a shorter waiting time. [8][9][10][11][12] Most other studies investigating patient choice in the context of long waiting times have referred to the choice of an alternative hospital rather than the choice of an alternative surgeon. Even though many patients may indicate that they are willing to travel to another hospital, fewer actually choose such a change.…”

“…Even though many patients may indicate that they are willing to travel to another hospital, fewer actually choose such a change. 11 In addition to waiting time, 8,13 other factors influencing provider choice are the hospital's reputation, follow-up care and travel time. 8,13,14 Little is known about what factors patients consider and what information they want and can use when choosing a provider.…”

“…11 In addition to waiting time, 8,13 other factors influencing provider choice are the hospital's reputation, follow-up care and travel time. 8,13,14 Little is known about what factors patients consider and what information they want and can use when choosing a provider. 11,15 We sought to assess patients' willingness to consider changing to a surgeon with a shorter waiting time for hip and knee arthroplasty.…”

A bed too far

“…In addition, the unwillingness of patients to travel for receiving care may limit their choices. One study in York suggested that most patients preferred to use their local hospitals [9], and most patients in Denmark [11,12] and Holland [13] finally choose their closest hospital. However, the 'Patient Bridge' project in Norway [1] and the 'Patient Choice Pilots' in England [3] indicate that patients were willing to undertake a long journey to reduce their waiting time, although an important prerequisite to this was the provision of detailed information about the alternatives.…”