Racial and ethnic differences in pediatric surgery utilization in the United States: A nationally representative cross-sectional analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

Children of minority background have reduced access to surgery. This study assessed for racial/ethnic differences in surgical utilization by location.

Materials and methods

We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of U.S. children (0-17 years of age) participating in the nationally representative Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS, 2015-2018). Race/ethnicity was the variable of interest. The primary outcome variables were prevalence rates of surgery defined by location of surgical procedure (inpatient, emergency department, hospital outpatient, and office). Covariates included contextual factors that may influence access to and need for healthcare services, including age, sex, insurance status, residential geographic status, usual source of care, and parental r

SUBMITTER: Groenewald CB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9023599 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature