title: Evaluating Adult Cystic Fibrosis Care in BC: Disparities in Access to a Multidisciplinary Treatment Centre.
abstract: Background. Cystic fibrosis (CF) care that is delivered through dedicated, multidisciplinary CF clinics is believed to be partly responsible for improvements in the length and quality of life of persons with CF. We hypothesized patients living farthest from a CF clinic would be seen less frequently than recommended, which would result in reduced access to guideline-recommended care and poorer health outcomes. Methods. We performed a retrospective chart review of 168 patients who accessed CF care primarily through the St. Paul's Hospital Adult CF Clinic. Subjects were stratified into four geographical groups according to the estimated one-way travel time by automobile from their home address to the clinic (<45 mins, 45-150 mins, 150-360 mins, and >360 mins). Results. There were no significant differences in pulmonary function, nutritional status, CF-related complications, or access to guideline-recommended CF pulmonary therapies between the four groups. Compared to the reference (<45 mins) group, subjects in the two farthest groups (>150 mins) were less likely to be seen in the clinic quarterly as recommended by current CF care guidelines (p = 0.002). Those in the farthest group (>360 mins) were at risk for more rapid decline in lung function compared to the reference group (FEV1% predicted annual change: -3.1%/year [95% CI -5.1 to -1.1] versus -0.9%/year [95% CI -1.6 to 0.1], resp., p = 0.04). Conclusions. Access to CF care is a challenge for individuals who live outside Metro Vancouver and has health policy implications. Further initiatives should be undertaken to ensure equitable care for people living with CF.
authors.affiliation: MD Undergraduate Program, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
authors.forename: James M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Roberts
authors.affiliation: Centre for Heart Lung Innovation, University of British Columbia and St. Paul's Hospital, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Division of Respiratory Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, 1081 Burrard Street, 8B Providence Wing, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6Z 1Y6.
authors.forename: Pearce G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Wilcox
authors.affiliation: Centre for Heart Lung Innovation, University of British Columbia and St. Paul's Hospital, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Division of Respiratory Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, 1081 Burrard Street, 8B Providence Wing, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6Z 1Y6.
authors.forename: Bradley S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Quon
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001955:British Columbia; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D005843:Geography; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006291:Health Policy; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D054625:Healthcare Disparities; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009752:Nutritional Status; D010348:Patient Care Team; D011788:Quality of Life; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D014195:Travel; D055815:Young Adult