Geographic Proximity of Family Members and Healthcare Utilization After Complex Surgical Procedures

Area of Science:

• Health Services Research
• Social Determinants of Health
• Medical Sociology

Background:

• Social support is a recognized modifiable risk factor influencing healthcare utilization.
• Understanding the impact of familial proximity on patient outcomes is crucial for healthcare planning.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between the geographic proximity of first-degree relatives (FDRs) and healthcare utilization following complex cardiovascular and oncologic procedures.
• To quantify the relationship between the number of nearby FDRs and key healthcare outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective cohort study of 60,895 patients undergoing major cardiovascular or oncologic surgery.
• Healthcare utilization outcomes included 30-day readmissions, length of stay, and discharge disposition.
• Categorized patients based on the number of FDRs residing within 30 miles (0-1, 2-3, 4-5, 6+).

Main Results:

• Patients with 6+ FDRs nearby had significantly lower rates of all-cause, unplanned, and nonindex readmissions compared to those with 0-1 FDRs.
• A higher number of proximal FDRs was associated with increased rates of home discharge.
• Multivariable analysis confirmed that increased geographic proximity of FDRs correlated with reduced readmissions and shorter hospital stays.

Conclusions:

• Geographic proximity of family members is a significant factor in reducing healthcare utilization post-complex surgery.
• Stronger proximal familial social support is linked to better patient outcomes, including fewer readmissions and shorter lengths of stay.
• Findings underscore the importance of considering family support networks in post-operative care strategies.