Awareness of racial/ethnic disparities in surgical outcomes and care: Factors affecting acknowledgment and action

Authors

Breanne V. Britton, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
Neeraja Nagarajan, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
Cheryl K Zogg, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA
Shalini Selvarajah, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
Alexander J. Schupper, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
A Gatebe Kironji, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
Albert T. Lwin, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
Marcelo Cerullo, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
Ali Salim, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
Adil H. Haider, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MAFollow

Document Type

Article

Department

General Surgery

Abstract

Background: Studies have demonstrated racial/ethnic disparities in surgical outcomes and care. Surgeon awareness and its association with institutional action remain unclear. The study sought to assess surgeons' awareness of racial/ethnic disparities, ascertain whether demographic and practice factors influence acknowledgement of disparities, and determine whether surgeons are seeking to mitigate disparities.
Methods: Anonymous online survey was administered to a random sample of American College of Surgeons (ACS) general surgeons (July 2013 to March 2014). Responses were weighted for nonresponse and risk-adjusted using logistic regression.
Results: 172 surgeons completed the survey. Levels of acknowledged disparities were low. Less than one half reported institutional efforts to address disparities, and less than one fourth had taken efforts to investigate disparities in their personal practice. Several respondent factors including Academic Medical Center affiliation, awareness of the ACS statement on optimal access, and year of medical school graduation significantly associated with expressed acknowledgment of disparities.
Conclusions: Such associations speak to the need for continued efforts to promote enhanced provider awareness and participation. As the field of surgical disparities moves from understanding to action, we must acknowledge the contributing role that providers play

Comments

This work was published before the author joined Aga Khan University

Publication (Name of Journal)

American journal of surgery

Recommended Citation

Britton, B. V., Nagarajan, N., Zogg, C., Selvarajah, S., Schupper, A. J., Kironji, A. G., Lwin, A. T., Cerullo, M., Salim, A., Haider, A. H. (2016). Awareness of racial/ethnic disparities in surgical outcomes and care: Factors affecting acknowledgment and action. American journal of surgery, 212(1), 102-108.
Available at: https://ecommons.aku.edu/pakistan_fhs_mc_surg_gen/422