To understand how communication and multi-level factors contribute to delays in endocrine surgical care and to assess a pilot intervention aimed at improving referral processes among primary care providers.
Approach:
Ethical Approval: The study received ethical approval from the Georgetown University-MedStar Health Institutional Review Board and adhered to the Helsinki Declaration.
Retrospective Quantitative Analysis: Analyzed data from 898 patients who underwent endocrine surgery, focusing on demographic information and delays in referral and treatment.
Prospective Qualitative Interviews: Conducted 15 semi-structured interviews with patients and staff to explore experiences and barriers to timely care.
Pilot Intervention: Implemented an educational intervention for primary care providers to improve referral processes and communication strategies.
Key Findings:
Delays in endocrine surgery are influenced by patient-level factors such as age and social vulnerability.
Communication issues, including ineffective information exchange, contribute significantly to delays in surgical care.
Technology alone does not sufficiently mitigate delays in endocrine surgery, as reliance on electronic health records has not resolved communication barriers.
Interpretation:
Emerging evidence indicates that both systemic and individual factors, including communication, affect delays in endocrine surgical care.
Limitations:
The study's findings may not be generalizable beyond the specific institution where the research was conducted.
The qualitative sample size was limited to 15 participants, which may not capture the full range of experiences.
Conclusion:
The study highlights the complexity of factors contributing to delays in endocrine surgery, indicating a need for targeted interventions.
