To quantify the VRT referral-to-attendance gap in a South Florida cohort and evaluate sociodemographic, insurance-related factors, and clinical outcomes measured by DHI and FGA scores associated with treatment uptake.
Approach:
Key Findings:
Only 41% of referred patients attended VRT, indicating a significant 59% referral-to-attendance gap.
No sociodemographic, socioeconomic, insurance, or time variables were significantly associated with VRT attendance.
In exploratory analyses, DHI scores decreased by 15.2 points among 25 patients with paired data, but this did not exceed the 18-point minimum clinically important difference (MCID).
Neighborhood deprivation and insurance category were associated with DHI responder status, highlighting potential disparities.
Interpretation:
The lack of significant associations suggests that structural or logistical barriers may primarily drive the referral-to-attendance gap, indicating a need for targeted interventions.
Limitations:
The sample was small and racially homogeneous, limiting generalizability and potentially skewing results.
Exploratory analyses were constrained by the small number of patients with paired data, which may affect the reliability of findings.
Conclusion:
Further research in larger, more diverse cohorts is needed to confirm findings and explore barriers to VRT attendance.
