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Discretionary decisions and disparities in receiving drug-eluting stents under a universal healthcare system: A population-based study

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  • Raymond N Kuo
  • Chao-Lun Lai
  • Yi-Chun Yeh
  • Mei-Shu Lai

Abstract

Objectives: One of the main objectives behind the expansion of insurance coverage is to eliminate disparities in health and healthcare. However, researchers have not yet fully elucidated the reasons for disparities in the use of high-cost treatments among patients of different occupations. Furthermore, it remains unknown whether discretionary decisions made at the hospital level have an impact on the administration of high-cost interventions in a universal healthcare system. This study investigated the adoption of drug-eluting stents (DES) versus bare metal-stents (BMS) among patients in different occupations and income levels, with the aim of gauging the degree to which the inclination of health providers toward treatment options could affect treatment choices at the patient-level within a universal healthcare system. Design and participants: We adopted a cross-sectional observational study design using hierarchical modeling in conjunction with the population-based National Health Insurance database of Taiwan. Patients who received either a BMS or a DES between 2007 and 2010 were included in the study. Results: During the period of study, 42,124 patients received a BMS (65.3%) and 22,376 received DES (34.7%). Patients who were physicians or the family members of physicians were far more likely to receive DES (OR: 3.18, CI: 2.38–4.23) than were patients who were neither physicians nor in other high-status jobs (employers, other medical professions, or public service). Similarly, patients in the top 5% income bracket had a higher probability of receiving a DES (OR: 2.23, CI: 2.06–2.47, p 50% or between 25% and 50%) was shown to be strongly associated with the selection of DESs (OR: 3.64 CI: 3.24–4.09 and OR: 2.16, CI: 2.01–2.33, respectively). Conclusions: Even under the universal healthcare system in Taiwan, socioeconomic disparities in the use of high-cost services remain widespread. Differences in the care received by patients of lower socioeconomic status may be due to the discretionary decisions of healthcare providers.

Suggested Citation

  • Raymond N Kuo & Chao-Lun Lai & Yi-Chun Yeh & Mei-Shu Lai, 2017. "Discretionary decisions and disparities in receiving drug-eluting stents under a universal healthcare system: A population-based study," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 12(6), pages 1-13, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0179127
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0179127
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    1. Goldman Dana P & Lakdawalla Darius N., 2005. "A Theory of Health Disparities and Medical Technology," The B.E. Journal of Economic Analysis & Policy, De Gruyter, vol. 4(1), pages 1-32, September.
    2. Guthrie, Lori C. & Butler, Stephen C. & Ward, Michael M., 2009. "Time perspective and socioeconomic status: A link to socioeconomic disparities in health?," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 68(12), pages 2145-2151, June.
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    1. Bhanu Duggal & Jyothi Subramanian & Mona Duggal & Pushpendra Singh & Meeta Rajivlochan & Sujata Saunik & Koundinya Desiraju & Archana Avhad & Usha Ram & Sayan Sen & Anurag Agrawal, 2018. "Survival outcomes post percutaneous coronary intervention: Why the hype about stent type? Lessons from a healthcare system in India," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 13(5), pages 1-14, May.

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