Abstract
BackgroundOur objective is to highlight discrepancies between actual wait times and perceived appropriate wait times for various thyroid pathologies among Otolaryngology- Head and Neck Surgeons in Canada; and to identify specific diagnoses/pathologies where wait times could be improved.MethodsA questionnaire was distributed to all practicing CSO-HNS members. Questions focused on actual wait times for initial consults and surgery within individual practices, in the setting of various thyroid pathologies. Respondents were also asked to state wait times that they felt were appropriate for each scenario. Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were performed to determine statistically significant differences between actual and appropriate wait times.ResultsFor most scenarios, the actual wait times were significantly longer than most physicians felt were appropriate; these scenarios included time to initial consult for undiagnosed nodules, time to surgery for confirmed malignancies, and time to completion thyroidectomy for surgically confirmed malignancies.ConclusionsWait times for thyroid consults and surgeries in Canada are longer than physicians feel are appropriate. The authors hope that this survey may spur a move towards a national consensus on appropriate wait times for the treatment of thyroid pathology.
Highlights
Wait times for specialized medical services is a recurring issue in publicly funded healthcare systems such as Canada’s, where the reduction of wait times remains an ongoing priority in the government’s healthcare agenda [1]
The Canadian federal and provincial governments put forth a joint accord in 2004 called The 10-year plan to strengthen healthcare [2], which aimed to address many problem areas including wait times [3]
Despite thyroid cancer being among the least aggressive oncologic diagnoses, and a lack of evidence that prolonged wait times to treatment are associated with poorer outcomes, these patients experience as much or more psychological distress while waiting for treatment as other cancer populations [9,10]
Summary
Wait times for specialized medical services is a recurring issue in publicly funded healthcare systems such as Canada’s, where the reduction of wait times remains an ongoing priority in the government’s healthcare agenda [1]. Despite thyroid cancer being among the least aggressive oncologic diagnoses, and a lack of evidence that prolonged wait times to treatment are associated with poorer outcomes, these patients experience as much or more psychological distress while waiting for treatment as other cancer populations [9,10]. This distress can continue for years after long-term remission [11]. Our objective is to highlight discrepancies between actual wait times and perceived appropriate wait times for various thyroid pathologies among Otolaryngology- Head and Neck Surgeons in Canada; and to identify specific diagnoses/pathologies where wait times could be improved
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: Journal of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
