The researchers examined the Massachusetts Statewide Inpatient Dataset from 2003 to 2010. The researchers found:
1. There wasn’t a significant difference between surgical intervention rate between the white and non-white patients.
2. The length of stay at the hospital was greater for non-white patients.
3. Non-white patients were more likely to experience surgical complications and mortality than the white patients.
4. Massachusetts was the model for “universal access to care,” but the study concluded the universal access “may be insufficient to reduce differences in care among minority patients following cervical trauma.”
5. The researchers recommended future mixed-methods research to evaluate the etiologies behind these disparities associated with race in the different healthcare environments.
More articles on spine surgery:
ProDisc-C vs. spinal fusion: Which one has better results? 5 key notes
5 key notes on UTI after posterior spinal fusion
Dr. Frank Cammisa talks about back pain for pro-athletes—5 takeaways
