Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow

Korean Shoulder and Elbow Society (대한견·주관절의학회)
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Doctor shopping trend of patients before undergoing rotator cuff repair in Korea: a multicenter study

  • Jong-Ho Kim (Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Yeouido St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea) ;
  • Nam Su Cho (Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Cheil Orthopedic Hospital) ;
  • Jin-Young Park (Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Neon Orthopedic Clinic) ;
  • Yon-Sik Yoo (Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Camp 9 Orthopedic Clinic) ;
  • Joo Han Oh (Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine) ;
  • Kyu Cheol Noh (Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Hallym University Dongtan Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University College of Medicine) ;
  • Yong-Beom Lee (Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University College of Medicine) ;
  • Ho Min Lee (Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Gyeongju Hospital, Dongguk University College of Medicine) ;
  • Jin-Young Bang (Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Inje University College of Medicine, Haeundae Paik Hospital) ;
  • Jung Youn Kim (Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Hallym University Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University College of Medicine) ;
  • Hyeon Jang Jeong (Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine) ;
  • Tae Kang Lim (Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Nowon Eulji Medical Center, Eulji University School of Medicine)
  • Received : 2024.05.13
  • Accepted : 2024.06.26
  • Published : 2024.09.01
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Abstract

Background: This study aims to investigate the trend of doctor shopping among patients with rotator cuff tear (RCT) before undergoing surgery and to examine the relevance of these findings to the public. Methods: A survey was conducted of 326 patients from 10 hospitals (male, 176; female, 150) who underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (ARCR) for symptomatic RCT between September 2019 and February 2020. A questionnaire was used to obtain data regarding the type of medical care service, medical institutions visited before surgery, number of treatments received, and cost of treatment. Results: A total of 326 patients (87%) received treatment at least once at another medical institution before visiting the hospital where the surgery was performed. Patients visited an average of 9.4 health providers or physicians for shoulder pain before visiting the hospital where surgery was performed. Among the 326 patients, 148 (45%) visited more than two medical institutions and spent an average of 641,983 Korean won (KRW; $466, 50,000-5,000,000 KRW) before surgery. Medical expenses before surgery were proportional to the number of medical institutions visited (P=0.002), symptom duration (P=0.002), and initial visual analog scale (VAS) pain score (P=0.007) but were not associated with sex, age, VAS pain score immediately before surgery, or RCT size. Conclusions: Medical expense before ARCR was associated with the severity of preoperative pain and duration of symptoms. After onset of shoulder symptoms, patients should visit as soon as possible a hospital that has surgeons who specialize in shoulder repair to prevent unnecessary medical expense and proper treatment.

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References

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