Abstract 751: Disparities in physician office visit wait time among US cancer survivors

Abstract

Abstract Background: Disparities are well-documented in the time spent seeking medical care in the US. Studies have found that minority populations are likely to have longer wait times securing healthcare access and higher total time spent at clinic visits. However, this relationship has not been previously examined among the cancer survivor population, which constitutes about 17 million people in the US. Methods: Study data were derived from the 2018 National Health Interview Survey, a nationally representative survey of US adults. Study sample was restricted to cancer survivors (n=2,940; N=23,310,174). The primary outcome of this study was reports of prolonged wait times during doctor office visits. Weighted multivariable logistic regression were used to estimate adjusted associations between prolonged wait times during doctor office visits and sociodemographic and behavioral characteristics of cancer survivors. All analyses were conducted using STATA version 14.2. Results: Respondents who identified as Black/African American were almost 3 times more likely than their White counterparts to report prolonged wait times during doctor office visits (aOR 2.65, 95% CI; 1.296, 5.419). Similarly, respondents who identified as Hispanic were almost 3 times more likely than non-Hispanic respondents to report prolonged wait times during doctor office visits (aOR 2.604, 95% CI; 1.347, 5.035). Respondents in the $50,000 - $74,999 income bracket were less likely to report prolonged wait times during doctor office visits than respondents who earned less than $35,000 (aOR: 0.50, 95% CI, 0.276, 0.916). Conclusion: Black/African American and Hispanic cancer survivors had increased odds of reporting prolonged wait times during doctor office visits. Disparities in cancer health and survivorship are well documented among racial minorities. Addressing disparities in healthcare experiences and access will be crucial in dispelling existing cancer health disparities. Citation Format: Onyema Chido-Amajuoyi, Ikenna Nnamani, Owhofasa Agbedia. Disparities in physician office visit wait time among US cancer survivors [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2023; Part 1 (Regular and Invited Abstracts); 2023 Apr 14-19; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(7_Suppl):Abstract nr 751.