Work

Location of Cancer Surgery for Older Veterans with Cancer

Year: 2011

Type: article

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: Many veterans undergo cancer surgery outside of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). We assessed to what extent these patients obtained care in the VHA before surgery. DATA SOURCES: VHA-Medicare data, VHA administrative data, and Veterans Affairs Central Cancer Registry data. STUDY DESIGN: We identified patients aged ≥65 years in the VHA-Medicare cohort who underwent lung or colon cancer resection outside the VHA and assessed VHA visits in the year before surgery. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Over 60% of patients in the VHA-Medicare cohort who received lung or colon cancer surgeries outside the VHA did not receive any care in VHA before surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Veterans' receipt of major cancer surgery outside the VHA probably reflects usual private sector care among veterans who are infrequent VHA users.

Source: Health Services Research

DOI: 10.1111/j.1475-6773.2011.01327.x

Authors: Elena M. Kouri, Mary Beth Landrum, Elizabeth B. Lamont, Sam Bozeman, Barbara J. McNeil, Nancy L. Keating

Institutions: Harvard University, Massachusetts General Hospital, Brigham and Women's Hospital

Language: English

Topic: Healthcare Policy and Management

Subfield: Economics and Econometrics

Field: Economics, Econometrics and Finance

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: bronze

Funder: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs