Comparing Patient Outcome Preferences in Orthopaedic Trauma
Abstract
Cost of care is becoming a more important variable to account for when considering patient-focused outcomes. This survey study focused on socioeconomic status (SES) and patient rating of outcome preferences in orthopaedic trauma. It aimed to address whether there were differences importance of cost to post-operative orthopaedic trauma patients when examined by patients’ SES. Additionally, in stratifying SES, it compared importance ratings between the measured outcome preferences (cost, return to work, return to leisure activities, recovery time, pain reduction, and physical function). Using a quantitative survey, outcomes were rated based on importance, 1 to 5, with 5 being the most important to the patient responder. SES estimates were calculated using Pew Research Study cut-offs, dividing patients into low, middle, and high SES groups based on household size, city of residence, and household income. The study population consisted of patients between the ages of 18-65 treated by UTHealth Orthopaedic Trauma. These patients were surveyed during their post-operative clinic visits regarding outcome preferences, demographics, and injury information. Cost was found to be the only measured outcome with significant differences based on socioeconomic status (p=0.001). Within the high SES group, cost was significantly less important than all other outcome measures (p=0.002). Physical function was found to be more important than either cost (p=0.001) or pain (p=0.002). In the middle SES group was cost was significantly less important than physical function (p=0.020). In the low SES group, cost was not significantly different from any of the outcomes, but physical function was significantly more important than return to work (p=0.024). As trends continue towards patient-centered models of care, it is important to understand what factors are of most concern to patients. In this study, all groups rated physical function as the most important outcome measure, while cost importance was rated as either the lowest or next to lowest outcome measure.
Subject Area
Economics|Public health
Recommended Citation
Abdelaziz, Abed, "Comparing Patient Outcome Preferences in Orthopaedic Trauma" (2018). Texas Medical Center Dissertations (via ProQuest). AAI10787093.
https://digitalcommons.library.tmc.edu/dissertations/AAI10787093