Persistent Inequality in Access to Rheumatology Care for Females After the COVID-19 Pandemic.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To examine the effect of biological sex on wait-times to first rheumatology appointment in a central triage system before, during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

De-identified data of patients referred to one centralised Rheumatology referral centre between November 2019 and December 2023 were extracted from the electronic medical record. Variables collected and analysed included time from referral to first appointment, biological sex, referral period, triage urgency, age, and geographic location.

Results

19,681 referrals were identified. In the pre-COVID period, there was no significant difference in wait-times by biological sex or age. After adjusting for triage level, age and geographic location, females waited significantly longer in the peri-CO

SUBMITTER: Katz SJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11646334 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature