The impact of health care strikes on patient mortality: A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

This study sought to evaluate the impact of health care strike action on patient mortality.

Data sources

EMBASE, PubMed CINAHL, BIOETHICSLINE, EconLit, WEB OF SCIENCE, and grey literature were searched up to December 2021.

Study design

A systematic review and meta-analysis were utilized.

Data collection/extraction

Random-effects meta-analysis was used to compare mortality rate during strike versus pre- or post-strike, with meta-regression employed to identify factors that might influence the potential impact of strike action. Studies were included if they were observational studies that examined in-hospital/clinic or population mortality during a strike period compared with a control period where there was no strike action.

Principal findings

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SUBMITTER: Essex R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9643090 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature