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World Journal of Surgery
Published in: World Journal of Surgery 2/2017

01-02-2017 | Original Scientific Report

The Impact of Healthcare Privatization on Access to Surgical Care: Cholecystectomy as a Model

Authors: Ayman Al-Jazaeri, Firas Ghomraoui, Wejdan Al-Muhanna, Ahmed Saleem, Hazem Jokhadar, Tareq Aljurf

Published in: World Journal of Surgery | Issue 2/2017

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Abstract

Background

Privatization is widely perceived as a tool to improve healthcare access; however, its impact on the access of surgical care has not been quantified. We used cholecystectomy as a model to assess the variation in access between coexisting public (PB) and private providers (PVs).

Methods

We performed cross-sectional analysis of patients who underwent cholecystectomy at two major PB and PV groups serving Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Representative sample sizes were estimated based on 95 % confidence level and ±5 confidence interval (CI). Exclusion criteria were major comorbidities, emergency cholecystectomies, age ≥60 and concurrent non-minor procedures. Data collected were patients’ demographics, payer status, and durations of symptoms, diagnosis and hospitalization.

Results

Between 2012 and 2104, samples of 330 and 297 were randomly selected from the total of 2164 and 1315 cases performed at PV and PB, respectively. Seventy-eight PV and 73 PB cases were excluded. The distribution of publically funded/insured/self-paid was (3/179/70 PV) and (209/0/4 PB), respectively. Median durations between symptoms and surgery for PV and PB cases were 90 and 365 days (P < 0.001), respectively, while the wait times after ultrasound-based diagnosis were 125 and 11 days (P < 0.001), respectively. Median hospitalization time was significantly shorter in PV compared to PB (1 vs. 2 days, P = 0.001), and same-day admissions were more frequent in PV 94 % than PB 41 % (RR 2.3, CI 1.9–2.7).

Conclusions

When coexist in a competitive environment, PV offers a remarkably better access to cholecystectomies compared to PB. Facilitating access to PV can be an effective strategy to improve patient’s access to surgical care.
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Metadata
Title
The Impact of Healthcare Privatization on Access to Surgical Care: Cholecystectomy as a Model
Authors
Ayman Al-Jazaeri
Firas Ghomraoui
Wejdan Al-Muhanna
Ahmed Saleem
Hazem Jokhadar
Tareq Aljurf
Publication date
01-02-2017
Publisher
Springer International Publishing
Published in
World Journal of Surgery / Issue 2/2017
Print ISSN: 0364-2313
Electronic ISSN: 1432-2323
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00268-016-3739-z

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