Article

OBJECTIVE: To describe current patterns of health care utilization of youth and
young adults who have spina bifida (SB) and provide evidence to guide the
development of health care for this growing population.
DESIGN: We conducted a
secondary analysis of health services utilization data from the Canadian
Institute for Health Information to determine the rates and patterns of health
care utilization, because comprehensive health care has been recognized as
critical to positive health outcomes. SETTING: Participants were identified from
6 publicly funded children's treatment centers. PARTICIPANTS: Health records from
youth (n=164; age range, 13.0-17.9y) and adults (n=120; age range, 23.0-32.9y)
with SB contributed to this study. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:
The rates of outpatient physician visits and hospital admissions for
the youth and adult groups were calculated. The proportion with a "medical home"
was also calculated.
RESULTS: The annual rates of outpatient physician visits per
1000 persons were 8031 for youth and 8524 for adults with SB. These rates were
approximately 2.9 and 2.2 times higher, respectively, than for their age-matched
peers. On average, 12% of youth and 24% of adults with SB had a medical home. The
annual rates of hospital admissions per 1000 persons were 329 for youth and 285
for adults with SB. Rates of admissions were 19.4 and 12.4 times higher,
respectively, for these groups than for the general population. CONCLUSIONS: It appears that persons with SB are accessing health services more often than their
age-matched peers, and few have a medical home. We recommend that seamless
medical care be provided to all adults with SB, coordinated by a primary care
provider, to facilitate comprehensive care.
CI - Copyright (c) 2014 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Published by
Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS