Talk Description
445R - Research Paper
Abstract
Aim:
This project investigated health service access for CALD kidney transplant patients compared to non-CALD and the potential impact of telehealth during COVID-19.
Method:
A pilot matched retrospective case-control study at a large Victorian health service was conducted. The sample included kidney transplant patients born in Australia (Controls, n=10), from a CALD background requiring an interpreter (Cases 2, n=10) and those not requiring an interpreter (Cases 1, n=10). Outpatient clinic attendance, emergency department (ED) attendance, and rates of hospital admissions (≥24 hours) were collected for a 5-year period, from 2017-2019 (pre-COVID-19) and 2020-2021 (COVID-19). Within-group and between-group comparisons were made.
Results:
From 2017-2021, patients from a CALD background not requiring an interpreter (Cases 1) had a greater mean number of hospital admissions (2.9+3.1), compared to controls (1.4+1.6) and Cases 2 (1.5+2.0). More ED attendances were recorded for Cases 1 (mean, 3.9+5.3), compared to controls (2.0+ 2.8) and Cases 2 (2.4+ 2.2). Cases 1 also had more clinic appointments and greater failure to attend clinic. The introduction of telehealth in 2020 did not have an impact on health service access for any of the groups.
Conclusion:
This current project provides insights into health service access for kidney transplant patients from a CALD and non-CALD background over a 5-year period, including the introduction of telehealth.
Abstract
Aim:
This project investigated health service access for CALD kidney transplant patients compared to non-CALD and the potential impact of telehealth during COVID-19.
Method:
A pilot matched retrospective case-control study at a large Victorian health service was conducted. The sample included kidney transplant patients born in Australia (Controls, n=10), from a CALD background requiring an interpreter (Cases 2, n=10) and those not requiring an interpreter (Cases 1, n=10). Outpatient clinic attendance, emergency department (ED) attendance, and rates of hospital admissions (≥24 hours) were collected for a 5-year period, from 2017-2019 (pre-COVID-19) and 2020-2021 (COVID-19). Within-group and between-group comparisons were made.
Results:
From 2017-2021, patients from a CALD background not requiring an interpreter (Cases 1) had a greater mean number of hospital admissions (2.9+3.1), compared to controls (1.4+1.6) and Cases 2 (1.5+2.0). More ED attendances were recorded for Cases 1 (mean, 3.9+5.3), compared to controls (2.0+ 2.8) and Cases 2 (2.4+ 2.2). Cases 1 also had more clinic appointments and greater failure to attend clinic. The introduction of telehealth in 2020 did not have an impact on health service access for any of the groups.
Conclusion:
This current project provides insights into health service access for kidney transplant patients from a CALD and non-CALD background over a 5-year period, including the introduction of telehealth.