Is there inequity in access to health care for geriatric patients from the perspective of operation waiting time?

Background: People worldwide face disparities in access to healthcare. Advanced age may be a disadvantage regarding access to healthcare. The reasons for inequity may vary in heterogeneous societies. We aimed to investigate whether advanced age constitutes a disadvantage in a homogeneous population.

Materials and methods: Data from a tertiary hospital between January 2021 and November 2023 were retrospectively collected. Patients were diagnosed with cholelithiasis and inguinal hernia. The patients were categorized into groups based on age (< 65 years, ≥ 65 years) and further subdivided into age subgroups (65-74 years, 75-84 years, and ≥ 85 years). Comorbidities, ASA scores, and waiting times before surgery were analyzed across the groups and subgroups.

Results: A total of 1401 patients were analyzed, of whom 261 (18.6%) were aged ≥ 65 years. Older patients more frequently had hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and cardiac and pulmonary comorbidities (p < 0.001). The proportion of patients classified as ASA II and III was significantly higher in the older age group. The waiting time for surgery was similar (20 days) between the < 65 and ≥ 65 age groups. Furthermore, there were no significant differences in waiting times among the subgroups within the older age category.

Conclusion: Older patients experienced similar waiting times for surgery compared to younger patients, suggesting equity in access to healthcare. This is thought to be associated with the homogeneity of the population and urban residency.