In:
PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science (PLoS), Vol. 17, No. 8 ( 2022-8-24), p. e0272265-
Abstract:
Social factors are recognized determinants of morbidity and mortality and also have an impact on use of medical services. The objective of this study was to assess the associations of educational attainment, social and financial resources, and migration factors with length of hospital stays for chronic conditions. In addition, the study investigated the role of comorbidity and discharge destination in mediating these associations. The study made use of nationwide inpatient data that was linked with Swiss census data. The study sample included n = 141,307 records of n = 92,623 inpatients aged 25 to 84 years, hospitalized between 2010 and 2016 for a chronic condition. Cross-classified multilevel models and mediation analysis were performed. Patients with upper secondary and compulsory education stayed longer in hospital compared to those with tertiary education (β 0.24 days, 95% CI 0.14–0.33; β 0.37, 95% CI 0.27–0.47, respectively) when taking into account demographic factors, main diagnosis and clustering on patient and hospital level. However, these effects were almost fully mediated by burden of comorbidity. The effect of living alone on length of stay (β 0.60 days, 95% CI 0.50–0.70) was partially mediated by both burden of comorbidities (33%) and discharge destination (30.4%). (Semi-) private insurance was associated with prolonged stays, but an inverse effect was observed for colon and breast cancer. Allophone patients had also prolonged hospital stays (β 0.34, 95% CI 0.13–0.55). Hospital stays could be a window of opportunity to discern patients who need additional time and support to better cope with everyday life after discharge, reducing the risks of future hospital stays. However, inpatient care in Switzerland seems to take into account rather obvious individual needs due to lack of immediate support at home, but not necessarily more hidden needs of patients with low health literacy and less resources to assert their interests within the health system.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
1932-6203
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0272265
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0272265.g001
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0272265.g002
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0272265.g003
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10.1371/journal.pone.0272265.g004
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10.1371/journal.pone.0272265.g005
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0272265.t001
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10.1371/journal.pone.0272265.t002
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0272265.t003
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0272265.t004
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0272265.t005
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0272265.s001
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0272265.s002
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0272265.s003
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0272265.s004
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0272265.s005
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0272265.s006
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10.1371/journal.pone.0272265.s007
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0272265.s008
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0272265.s009
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0272265.s010
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0272265.s011
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0272265.r001
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0272265.r002
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0272265.r003
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0272265.r004
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0272265.r005
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0272265.r006
Language:
English
Publisher:
Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Publication Date:
2022
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2267670-3
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