Effect of proximity to specialty care on outcomes for biliary cancers: a population-based retrospective cohort study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The management of biliary cancers is complex and requires a multidisciplinary approach. Because it is unknown how access to specialty care affects resource use and survival in patients with biliary cancer, we conducted a population-based study to understand the needs of these patients and the relation of geography to care delivery and clinical outcomes for biliary cancer in Alberta.

Methods

All patients with biliary cancer diagnosed in Alberta from Sept. 1, 2001, to Dec. 31, 2015 were included in this population-based retrospective cohort study. Data were extracted from administrative databases and the 2011 Canadian census. Driving time and types of medical services were tracked throughout the patients' clinical course. We categorized proximity to specialty care a

SUBMITTER: Xu Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6397033 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jan-Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature