Characteristics of paediatric cardiology patients with interrupted outpatient care using a social determinants...

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Cardiology
• Health Disparities
• Social Determinants of Health

Background:

• Significant disparities in clinical outcomes exist for children with congenital heart disease (CHD).
• Social determinants of health (SDOH) are major contributors to these outcome disparities.
• Follow-up care is critical for long-term health in pediatric cardiology patients and may be influenced by SDOH.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize the population experiencing lapses in outpatient general pediatric cardiology care through the lens of SDOH.
• To compare this population to the hospital's primary service area population.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective chart review was conducted.
• Identified children with lapses in outpatient general cardiology care.
• Compared data to the primary service area population of Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center.

Main Results:

• Patients with lapses in care were disproportionately Hispanic/Latino.
• A higher proportion of patients with lapses utilized public insurance.
• Patients with lapses were more likely to reside in socially deprived communities.

Conclusions:

• Minority race/ethnicity, use of public insurance, and residence in high social deprivation areas are associated with increased risk of lapses in outpatient cardiology care.
• These lapses include both essential follow-up care and initial evaluations.
• Interventions targeting SDOH may be necessary to mitigate care gaps in pediatric cardiology.