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Patient referrals from Greenland to Rigshospitalet in Denmark
Johan Skov Bundgaard1,2,3, Uka W Geisler1, Marit E Jørgensen4,5
1Department of Internal Medicine, Queen Ingrid Hospital, Greenland.
Insights
Referrals from Greenland to Denmark for specialized care increased 52% from 2017-2021. Ischaemic heart disease was a leading diagnosis, with high revascularisation rates in older Greenlandic citizens.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Cardiology
- Healthcare Management
Background:
- Greenlandic citizens often require overseas specialized treatment, primarily at Denmark's Rigshospitalet.
- This study investigates patient transfer patterns from Greenland to Denmark, with a focus on cardiology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the trends and patterns of specialized healthcare referrals from Greenland to Rigshospitalet, Denmark.
- To specifically examine the scope and nature of cardiology-related transfers.
Main Methods:
- A descriptive quality assurance study analyzing data from 2017-2021.
- Inclusion of all Greenlandic citizens receiving healthcare services at Rigshospitalet.
- Stratification of patients by specialty and disease course.
Main Results:
- 3,201 unique patients (56% male, mean age 51.0) received care, representing approximately 1.2% of Greenland's population annually.
- Referrals increased by 52% over the study period, with the Heart Centre receiving a significant number.
- Ischaemic heart disease was prevalent, and revascularisation rates in older adults (55-74) were comparable to the Danish population.
Conclusions:
- A substantial 52% increase in referral rates from Greenland to Rigshospitalet occurred between 2017-2021.
- Ischaemic heart disease was the primary cardiac diagnosis necessitating transfer.
- Older Greenlandic citizens exhibited high rates of coronary artery revascularisation.
Introduction:
Patients from Greenland are transferred overseas for highly specialised treatment, mainly to the National University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Denmark. We aimed to investigate the pattern of transfers from Greenland to Denmark, focusing on cardiology.
Methods:
This descriptive quality assurance study included all Greenlandic citizens receiving healthcare services at Rigshospitalet from 2017-2021. Unique patients and disease courses were accounted for and patients were stratified across specialties.
Results:
A total of 3,201 unique patients (56% males, mean age 51.0 years, 325 were 18 years or younger) from Greenland received healthcare services at Rigshospitalet. As some patients were seen two or more times, this corresponds to almost 900 patients (approximately 1,500 disease courses) or 1.2% of the entire Greenlandic population being referred annually. The referrals increased by 52% during the period. The Centre of Head and Orthopaedics received most referrals, followed by the Heart Centre. A modest increase in referrals due to heart diseases was observed with ischaemic heart disease being the more prevalent diagnosis. Coronary artery revascularisation rates in Greenlandic citizens aged 55-74 years were at least as high as in the same age-group for all Danes.
Conclusion:
During the past five years, a 52% increase has been observed in the referral rate from Greenland to Rigshospitalet for diagnostics and treatment. In cardiology, ischaemic heart disease represented the largest share with a high revascularisation rate being observed in older Greenlandic citizens.
Funding:
None.
Trial Registration:
Not relevant.
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