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Doctor shopping by overweight and obese patients is associated with increased healthcare utilization.

ABSTRACT: Negative interactions with healthcare providers may lead patients to switch physicians or "doctor shop." We hypothesized that overweight and obese patients would be more likely to doctor shop, and as a result, have increased rates of emergency department (ED) visits and hospitalizations as compared to normal weight nonshoppers.We combined claims data from a health plan in one state with information from beneficiaries' health risk assessments. The primary outcome was "doctor shopping," which we defined as having outpatient claims with ?5 different primary care physicians (PCPs) during a 24-month period. The independent variable was standard NIH categories of weight by BMI. We performed multivariate logistic regression to evaluate the association between weight categories and doctor shopping. We conducted multivariate zero-inflated negative binominal regression to evaluate the association between weight-doctor shopping categories with counts of ED visits and hospitalizations.Of the 20,726 beneficiaries, the mean BMI was 26.3 kg m(-2) (SD 5.1), mean age was 44.4 years (SD 11.1) and 53% were female. As compared to normal weight beneficiaries, overweight beneficiaries had 23% greater adjusted odds of doctor shopping (OR 1.23, 95%CI 1.04-1.46) and obese beneficiaries had 52% greater adjusted odds of doctor shopping (OR 1.52, 95%CI 1.26-1.82). As compared to normal weight non-shoppers, overweight and obese shoppers had higher rates of ED visits (IRR 1.85, 95%CI 1.37-2.45; IRR 1.83, 95%CI 1.34-2.50, respectively), which persisted during within weight group comparisons (Overweight IRR 1.50, 95%CI 1.10-2.03; Obese IRR 1.54, 95%CI 1.12-2.11).Frequently changing PCPs may impair continuity and result in increased healthcare utilization.

SUBMITTER: Gudzune KA

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3742565 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Doctor shopping by overweight and obese patients is associated with increased healthcare utilization.

Gudzune Kimberly A KA Bleich Sara N SN Richards Thomas M TM Weiner Jonathan P JP Hodges Krista K Clark Jeanne M JM

Obesity (Silver Spring, Md.) 20130513 7

<h4>Objective</h4>Negative interactions with healthcare providers may lead patients to switch physicians or "doctor shop." We hypothesized that overweight and obese patients would be more likely to doctor shop, and as a result, have increased rates of emergency department (ED) visits and hospitalizations as compared to normal weight nonshoppers.<h4>Design and methods</h4>We combined claims data from a health plan in one state with information from beneficiaries' health risk assessments. The prim ...[more]

PMID: 23671015

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Project description:Background/objectivesTo examine the prevalence of potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) prescribing and its association with healthcare utilization and related expenditures utilizing nationally representative data from the United States.DesignRetrospective cohort study.SettingThe 2011-2015 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS).ParticipantsCommunity-dwelling sample of U.S. adults aged 65 and older during the first round of each MEPS cycle.MeasurementsA qualified definition operationalized from the 2019 American Geriatrics Society Beers Criteria® was used to estimate the prevalence of PIM prescribing over the study period. Negative binomial models were assembled to examine associations between PIM exposure and healthcare utilization including hospitalizations, emergency department (ED) visits, and outpatient provider visits. Generalized linear models with the log link function and gamma distribution were used to analyze associations between PIM exposure and healthcare expenditures. Sensitivity analyses were conducted utilizing inverse probability treatment weighting using propensity scores for being prescribed a PIM.ResultsThe period prevalence of PIM prescribing over the 5-year sample was 34.4%. PIM prescribing was positively associated with hospitalizations (adjusted incidence rate ratio [aIRR] = 1.17; 95 confidence interval [CI] = 1.08-1.26; P < .001), ED visits (aIRR = 1.26; 95% CI = 1.17-1.35; P < .001), and outpatient provider visits (aIRR = 1.18; 95% CI = 1.14-1.21; P < .001). PIM exposure was associated with higher marginal costs within outpatient visits ($116; 95% CI = $105-$243; P < .001), prescription medications ($128; 95% CI = $72-$199; P < .001), and total healthcare expenditures ($458; 95% CI = $295-$664; P < .001). Similar results were found in our propensity score analyses.ConclusionPIMs continue to be prescribed at a high rate among older adults in the United States. Our results suggest that receipt of PIMs is associated with higher rates of healthcare utilization and increased costs across the healthcare continuum. Further work is needed to implement evidence-based deprescribing interventions that may in turn reduce unnecessary healthcare utilization.

Project description:ObjectiveThis systematic review and meta-analysis aims to systematically analyse the association of overweight and obesity with health service utilisation during childhood.Data sourcesPubMed, MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE and Web of Science.MethodsObservational studies published up to May 2020 that assessed the impact of overweight and obesity on healthcare utilisation in children and adolescents were included. Studies were eligible for inclusion if the included participants were ≤19 years of age. Findings from all included studies were summarised narratively. In addition, rate ratios (RRs) and 95% CIs were calculated in a meta-analysis on a subgroup of eligible studies.Outcome measuresIncluded studies reported association of weight status with healthcare utilisation measures of outpatient visits, emergency department (ED) visits, general practitioner visits, hospital admissions and hospital length of stay.ResultsThirty-three studies were included in the review. When synthesising the findings from all studies narratively, obesity and overweight were found to be positively associated with increased healthcare utilisation in children for all the outcome measures. Six studies reported sufficient data to meta-analyse association of weight with outpatient visits. Five studies were included in a separate meta-analysis for the outcome measure of ED visits. In comparison with normal-weight children, rates of ED (RR 1.34, 95% CI 1.07 to 1.68) and outpatient visits (RR 1.11, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.20) were significantly higher in obese children. The rates of ED and outpatient visits by overweight children were only slightly higher and non-significant compared with normal-weight children.ConclusionsObesity in children is associated with increased healthcare utilisation. Future research should assess the impact of ethnicity and obesity-associated health conditions on increased healthcare utilisation in children with overweight and obesity.Prospero registration numberCRD42018091752.

Project description:Background and objectivesProlonged sitting time has negative consequences on health, although the population is not well aware of these harmful effects. We explored opinions expressed by primary care patients diagnosed as overweight or moderately obese concerning their time spent sitting, willingness to change, and barriers, facilitators, goals and expectations related to limiting this behaviour.MethodsA descriptive-interpretive qualitative study was carried out at three healthcare centres in Barcelona, Spain, and included 23 patients with overweight or moderate obesity, aged 25 to 65 years, who reported sitting for at least 6 hours a day. Exclusion criteria were inability to sit down or stand up from a chair without help and language barriers that precluded interview participation. Ten in-depth, semi-structured interviews (5 group, 5 individual) were audio recorded from January to July 2012 and transcribed. The interview script included questions about time spent sitting, willingness to change, barriers and facilitators, and the prospect of assistance from primary healthcare professionals. An analysis of thematic content was made using ATLAS.Ti and triangulation of analysts.ResultsThe most frequent sedentary activities were computer use, watching television, and motorized journeys. There was a lack of awareness of the amount of time spent sitting and its negative consequences on health. Barriers to reducing sedentary time included work and family routines, lack of time and willpower, age and sociocultural limitations. Facilitators identified were sociocultural change, free time and active work, and family surroundings. Participants recognized the abilities of health professionals to provide help and advice, and reported a preference for patient-centred or group interventions.ConclusionsFindings from this study have implications for reducing sedentary behaviour. Patient insights were used to design an intervention to reduce sitting time within the frame of the SEDESTACTIV clinical trial.

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Doctor shopping by overweight and obese patients is associated with increased healthcare utilization.

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Doctor shopping by overweight and obese patients is associated with increased healthcare utilization.

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