The Impact of Community Care Referral on Time to Surgery for Veterans With Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) enacted policies offering Veterans care in the community, aiming to improve access challenges. However, the impact of receipt of community care on wait times for Veterans receiving surgical care is poorly understood.

Objectives

To compare wait times for surgery for Veterans with carpal tunnel syndrome who receive VA care plus community care (mixed care) and those who receive care solely within the VA (VA-only).

Research design

Retrospective cohort study.

Subjects

Veterans undergoing carpal tunnel release (CTR) between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2016.

Measures

Our primary outcome was time from primary care physician (PCP) referral to CTR.

Results

Of the 29,242 Veterans undergoing CTR, 23,3

SUBMITTER: Billig JI 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8121165 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature