Identification of hidden health utilization services and costs in adults awaiting tertiary care following mild traumatic brain injury in Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Concussion, 2016 · DOI: 10.2217/cnc-2016-0009 · Published: August 8, 2016

Simple Explanation

The study examined healthcare visits and costs for adults with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) waiting for specialized care. It found a high number of healthcare visits during the wait, leading to substantial costs. Researchers collected data from 201 adult patients referred for specialized care, averaging 10 months post-injury. Patients reported their healthcare visits while awaiting specialized treatment. The study estimated that excess healthcare costs for mTBI patients in Ontario could reach $11 million annually, highlighting the need for better diagnosis and coordinated care.

Study Duration

June 2013 and May 2014

Participants

201 adult patients referred to tertiary care

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
Males reported an average of 37 healthcare provider visits, while females reported 30, costing over $500,000 Canadian dollars for potentially excess care in one year.
2
The highest cost was for physiotherapy visits ($169,643.76), with the total cost for all visits in the cohort reaching approximately $585,263.39.
3
No significant differences were found in the total number of healthcare provider visits based on age or sex.

Research Summary

This study investigated healthcare utilization and costs for mTBI patients awaiting tertiary care, revealing a significant number of healthcare provider visits during the wait period. The study found that the total cost for these additional visits reached $3000 per patient over 10 months, potentially amounting to $110 million annually in Ontario. The research emphasizes the need for accurate mTBI diagnosis and timely treatment to reduce unnecessary healthcare visits and associated costs.

Practical Implications

Improved Diagnosis

Accurate and early diagnosis of mTBI can reduce unnecessary healthcare visits.

Coordinated Care

Effective coordination of follow-up care for those needing tertiary care can increase cost-effectiveness.

Resource Allocation

Understanding healthcare service utilization patterns is critical for planning and optimizing available resources.

Study Limitations

1
The study population may not be representative of all mTBI patients referred to tertiary care.
2
Lack of information on patient outcomes makes it difficult to ascertain what is deemed 'excess' care.
3
Recall bias in patient self-reporting of healthcare service visits may affect the accuracy of the data.

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