OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to measure the relationship between days spent waiting for primary care and health outcomes among patients diagnosed with diabetes, especially among the elderly population. DATA SOURCE Secondary data from VA administrative databases and Medicare claims. STUDY DESIGN This is a retrospective observational study. Outcome variables include primary care utiliz...

The Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC) launched the Wait Time Strategy in 2004 to improve access to healthcare by reducing the wait times for procedures and treatments. A fundamental component of the strategy was the development of the Wait Time Information System (WTIS). On behalf of the MOHLTC, Cancer Care Ontario (CCO) delivered the first electronic application used by ho...

OBJECTIVE To investigate the long term impact of the two week wait rule for breast cancer on referral patterns, cancer diagnoses, and waiting times. DESIGN Prospective cohort study. SETTING A specialist breast clinic in a teaching hospital in Bristol. PARTICIPANTS All patients referred to breast clinic from primary care between 1999 and 2005. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Number, route, and out...

As medical costs escalate, health care resources must be prioritized. In this context, there is an increasing need for benchmarks and best practices in wait time management. In December 2005, the Canadian Pain Society struck a Task Force to identify benchmarks for acceptable wait times for treatment of chronic pain. The task force mandate included a systematic review and survey to identify nati...