Rural-urban differences in use of health services before and after dementia diagnosis: a retrospective cohort study

• DOI: 10.1186/s12913-024-10817-3
• Publication Date: 2024-03-29T15:01:46Z
• Authors: Julie Kosteniuk; Beliz Acan Osman; Meric Osman; Jacqueline Quail; Naorin Islam; Megan E. O’Connell; Andrew Kirk; Norma Stewart; Chandima Karunana...; Debra Morgan
• Keywords: Health administration

Abstract Background Rural-urban differences in health service use among persons with prevalent dementia are known. However, the extent of geographic over a long observation period, and prior to diagnosis, have not been sufficiently examined. The purpose this study was examine yearly rural-urban proportion patients using services, mean number 5-year period before after first diagnosis dementia. Methods This population-based retrospective cohort used linked administrative data from Canadian province Saskatchewan investigate five services [family physician (FP), specialist physician, hospital admission, all-type prescription drug dispensations, short-term institutional care admission] each year April 2008 March 2019. Persons included 2,024 adults aged 65 years older diagnosed 1 2013 31 2014 (617 rural; 1,407 urban). Matching performed 1:1 without on age group, sex, rural versus urban residence, region, comorbidity. Differences between within control cohorts were separately identified Z-score test for proportions ( p < 0.05) independent samples t-test means 0.05). Results Rural compared had lower average FP visits during 1-year 2-year preindex 4-year postindex 0.05), likelihood at least one visit dispensations most 10-year observed admission or > 0.05 year). Conclusions important drugs diagnosis. Health system planners educators must determine how existing resources technological advances support living