Factors associated with waiting time for surgery.
OBJECTIVE
To explore the factors associated with waiting times for surgery in public hospitals.


METHODS
Three major acute care public hospitals in one Area Health Service.


METHODS
691 adult patients entered onto the computerised booking list between 16 and 22 November 1994, and then between 16 January and 12 February 1995, were interviewed prospectively and followed up over a minimum of 18 months. Data were obtained from the Area Health Service's computerised booking system and patient self-report.


RESULTS
Relevant surgical specialty, urgency rating, employment status and health insurance status were significantly associated with waiting time. Age, hospital, sex, country of birth, education, marital status and holding a Health Care Card were not significantly associated with waiting time. Self-reported health status (as measured by the SF-36) was not associated with waiting time for surgery.


CONCLUSIONS
Waiting time for surgery was not simply determined by how urgently patients need surgery, but also by the type of surgery needed and patient's employment and health insurance status. The extent of disability experienced by patients, as measured by the SF-36, was not reflected in waiting times for surgery.
Clover
K A
KA
Hunter Centre for Health Advancement, Wallsend, NSW. clover@mail.newcastle.edu.au
Dobbins
T A
TA
Smyth
T J
TJ
Sanson-Fisher
R W
RW
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017558:Elective Surgical Procedures / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006779:Hospitals, Public / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008511:Medicine / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008875:Middle Aged; D009313:National Health Programs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009517:New South Wales; D013038:Specialization; D014850:Waiting Lists