Analysis of Waiting-Time Data in Health Services Research

"Why some patients wait longer than others remains an important question in health services research. This book is a reference for health services researchers looking for statistical tools with which to study waiting times. The book provides detailed coverage of statistical concepts and methods for the analysis and interpretation of waiting-time data: time-to-event analysis, discrete time regression models, competing risks, and pseudovalues regression models. The book will also be useful for professionals and research workers in health care industry, who will find a collection of examples of waiting-time data analysis in health services research. It gives a practical perspective on how to describe and compare waiting experiences, how to study the impact of factors associated with waiting times, and how to use appropriate statistical techniques in practical terms, i.e., from a study question through interpretation of results. TOC:Part I: Data and Methods.- Health services research on access to care.- Waiting-time data used in this book.- Statistical methods.- Part II: Waiting-time Studies.- Overview of waiting times and other variables.- Variation and access probabilities.- Factors influencing waiting times.- Surgery after target access time.- Adverse events while waiting.- Intermediate events.- Survival benefit of CABG.- Part III: Appendices.- Other data dictionaries.- SAS code.- Matlab code."

Data, Questions and Methods.- Health services research on access to care.- Waiting-time data used in this book.- Waits and outcomes: What should be reported?.- Waiting-time Studies.- Overview of waiting times and other variables.- Variation and access probabilities.- Factors influencing waiting times.- Surgery after target access time.- Adverse events while waiting.- Intermediate events.- Survival benefit of coronary artery bypass grafting.