Causes of disparities in surgical care

Editor's Note

Healthcare disparities are widely established and include differential access, care, and outcomes stemming from factors such as minority group and socioeconomic status, finds this meta-analysis.

In this examination of 328 studies of healthcare disparities, researchers identified five major themes for causes of surgical disparities:

• patient factors−demographic, physiologic, and cultural
• provider factors−variations in physician practice related to factors such as level of training
• healthcare system factors−patient access to care including healthcare coverage policies and clinical protocols
• hospital clinical care and quality factors−variations related to structure, process, and outcomes
• postoperative care and rehabilitation factors−access to postacute care and mismanaged care preferences.

This meta-analysis was part of a research summit convened by the American College of Surgeons and National Institutes of Health to develop a national surgical disparities research agenda and funding priorities.

Adil H. Haider, MD, MPH 1,2; Irene Dankwa-Mullan, MD, MPH 3; Allysha C. Maragh-Bass, PhD, MPH 1,2; Maya Torain, BS 1,2; Cheryl K. Zogg, MSPH, MHS 1,2; Elizabeth J. Lilley, MD, MPH 1,2; Lisa M. Kodadek, MD 4; Navin R. Changoor, MD 1,2; Peter Najjar, MD, MBA 1,2; John A.