AOFAS On the Same Page: Inequities in Pediatric Care-Peds ACL

Peds ACL

Pdf Summary

The study conducted by Anna L. Park, Pardeep Singh Dhillon, and Nirav K. Pandya explores disparities in access to pediatric orthopaedic care for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries based on insurance status and language in California. Publicly insured patients (PUBs) were significantly less likely to obtain appointments (19%) compared to privately insured patients (PVTs), who had a 73.8% success rate at securing appointments. This disparity was particularly pronounced in independent private practices (IPPs), which accepted public insurance far less frequently (13.3%) than academic medical centers (57.1%).<br /><br />Language barriers were also evaluated, with no significant difference found in appointment access between Spanish and English speakers. However, professional translation services were offered by 73.8% of offices, highlighting some progress in accommodating Spanish-speaking patients. The study underscores the need for increased acceptance of public insurance and translation services, especially in IPP settings, to improve care access.<br /><br />The research acknowledges that despite increased insurance coverage, access to care remains problematic for patients with public insurance, often leading to worse injury outcomes due to delayed treatment. The study recommends focusing on policy interventions at IPPs to enhance public insurance acceptance and improve care quality through better language services.<br /><br />In conclusion, the study highlights significant barriers for PUBs in accessing pediatric orthopaedic care, suggesting these disparities are compounded by practice type and, potentially, indirectly by socioeconomic and racial factors. It calls for further research on broader language inclusivity and the direct impact of language disparities on care quality, emphasizing the necessity of policy measures to bridge these gaps and ensure equitable healthcare access.

Keywords

pediatric orthopaedic care

ACL injuries

insurance disparities

language barriers

public insurance

private practices

translation services

healthcare access

policy interventions

socioeconomic factors