Addressing Inequity in IR: Healthcare Disparities in Access, Utilization, and Outcomes of Interventional Procedures

Monday, March 6, 2023

5:25 PM – 5:30 PM

Location: Phoenix Convention Center, North Ballroom 120ABC, Poster Hall

Abstract Presenter(s)

Rohan Makhijani, BS (he/him/his)

Medical Student
The Ohio State University College of Medicine

Disclosure(s): No financial relationships to disclose

Author/Co-author(s)

AC

Aaron Chafitz, MD

Resident
Ohio State University Medical Center
Mina S. Makary, MD (he/him/his)

Interventional Radiologist
The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center

Disclosure(s):

Rohan Makhijani, BS: No financial relationships to disclose

Mina S. Makary, MD: No financial relationships to disclose

Learning Objectives:

To review the current understanding of healthcare disparities in access, utilization, and outcomes of Interventional Radiology (IR) procedures, as well as provide insights and solutions to further characterize and combat these inequities

Background:

Healthcare disparities remain a significant problem in the delivery of healthcare in the United States, and they remain underexplored within IR. Although minimally-invasive approaches to treat a wide range of disease processes are associated with less risk when compared with traditional open surgical approaches, existing data has revealed disparities in access and outcomes to these beneficial procedures between race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status. Certain demographic factors may be associated with objective measures of disparities including, but not limited to delayed times to intervention, procedural complications, follow-up care, disease progression, and mortality rates. While IR is a rapidly-evolving field that continues to develop and improve minimally-invasive therapies, it is crucial that physicians have the knowledge and tools to combat disparities in utilization, access, and outcomes these IR treatments.

Clinical Findings/Procedure Details:

This educational exhibit will: (1) review the current literature exploring healthcare disparities in IR, (2) discuss key demographic factors and parameters that may allow for better understanding and characterization of existing inequities, (3) describe the barriers preventing equal access and outcomes related to IR procedures, (4) evaluate approaches to combat disparities in other procedural/surgical disciplines (Vascular Surgery, Gastroenterology, etc.), (5) highlight areas within IR where research in disparities would be most pertinent, (6) discuss potential solutions to help combat existing disparities.

Conclusion and/or Teaching Points:

After reviewing this exhibit, the viewer will become more familiar with existing healthcare disparities in IR, gain a better understanding of the key drivers of inequity in specific patient populations, and learn about tools and solutions to both further characterize disparities and mitigate their prevalence in IR care.