A Population-based Study of the Association Between Socioeconomic Status and Emergency Department Utilization in Ontario, Canada

摘要: ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE 2011; 18:836–843 © 2011 by the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine Abstract Objectives:  The relative effects of socioeconomic status (SES) and health on emergency department (ED) utilization are controversial. authors examined this in a setting with universal coverage. Methods:  For Ontario participants age 20–74 years, Canadian Community Health Survey 2000 to 2001 responses were linked Insurance Plan (OHIP) physician data 1999 National Ambulatory Care Reporting System (NACRS) ED 2002. SES was defined primarily according high school completion secondarily income. primary outcome less urgent visit, as Triage Acuity Scale (CTAS) 4 or 5 not admitted hospital. Results:  weighted sample 9,323,217. Overall, 31.4% used an majority visits (59.1%) classified urgent. Fair poor self-perceived largest predictor use, regardless visit urgency. Respondents low education more likely have both (odds ratio [OR] = 1.65, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.35 1.94) (OR = 1.39, CI = 1.09 1.68) after controlling age, sex, income, health, urban rural location, regular doctor, non-ED visits. Education associated having versus (OR = 0.92, CI = 0.68 1.14). Conclusions:  In insurance, worse is utilization, but independently increased use ED, This study lends support findings other systems that those using EDs ill disadvantaged.