TRB Pubsindex
Text Size:
x

« Prev Next »

Return to Results | New Search

Bookmark and Share

Title:

Spatial Access by Public Transport and Likelihood of Healthcare Consultations at Hospitals

Accession Number:

01754245

Record Type:

Component

Availability:

Find a library where document is available


Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/03611981

Abstract:

As healthcare is a right in Canada, analyzing the distribution of spatial access to medical consultations, which are crucial for the prevention, diagnosis, and early treatment of illnesses, is fundamental to understanding health equity. Spatial accessibility can influence whether individuals can reasonably reach the services they seek. However, as an indicator of potential access, it does not guarantee realized access because of predisposing and need factors. This study examines the relationship between spatial accessibility to hospitals and the likelihood of consulting with a healthcare professional at a hospital in eight Canadian metropolitan regions while controlling for individual characteristics through multilevel regression modeling. Spatial accessibility was computed using the two-step floating catchment area (2SFCA) method. Self-reported consultations and socio-demographic characteristics were obtained from the Canadian Community Health Survey. We found that the likelihood of consultations differed between genders (female OR: 1.133, CI: 1.023–1.255; compared with male) and followed a positive household income gradient (high-income OR: 1.236, CI: 1.094–1.397; middle-income OR: 1.039, CI: 0.922–1.172; compared with low-income), but is not influenced by age. Living in areas with higher spatial accessibility was positively linked to consultations (OR: 1.014, CI: 1.000–1.028), even after controlling for perceived health (OR: 0.540, CI: 0.471–0.621), chronic conditions (OR: 1.738, CI: 1.587–1.904), and having a regular doctor (OR: 1.313, CI: 1.187–1.452). Policies that may improve spatial accessibility to healthcare services through increasing supply, managing demand, and enhancing level of public transport service should be considered to improve individuals’ ability to consult healthcare professionals, potentially leading to better health outcomes.

Supplemental Notes:

Although the research and analysis are based on data from Statistic Canada, the opinions expressed do not represent the views of Statistics Canada. © National Academy of Sciences: Transportation Research Board 2020.

Language:

English

Authors:

Cui, Boer
Boisjoly, Geneviève
Wasfi, Rania
Orpana, Heather
Manaugh, Kevin
Buliung, Ron
Kestens, Yan
El-Geneidy, Ahmed

Pagination:

pp 188-198

Publication Date:

2020-12

Serial:

Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board

Volume: 2674
Issue Number: 12
Publisher: Sage Publications, Incorporated
ISSN: 0361-1981
EISSN: 2169-4052
Serial URL: http://journals.sagepub.com/home/trr

Media Type:

Web

Features:

References (39)

Geographic Terms:

Canada

Subject Areas:

Public Transportation; Safety and Human Factors

Files:

TRIS, TRB, ATRI

Created Date:

Sep 29 2020 3:06PM