Healthcare Utilization of Canadian Carer-Employees
Author Information
Author(s): Ding Regina, Duxbury Linda, McCrone Paul
Primary Institution: Sprott School of Business, Carleton University
Hypothesis
What are rates of health service utilization among employed caregivers in Canada?
Conclusion
The study found that employed caregivers in Canada incur significant healthcare costs, with higher utilization rates linked to increased caregiving hours.
Supporting Evidence
- Caregivers reported an average of 3.69 physician visits over six months.
- Healthcare costs for eldercare caregivers were estimated at CAD 2.93 billion over six months.
- Sandwiched caregivers had lower hospital admission days compared to eldercare-only caregivers.
Takeaway
Caregivers in Canada often need to visit doctors and use healthcare services more than non-caregivers, which can be costly for them and the healthcare system.
Methodology
The study used a survey to collect data on healthcare utilization among employed caregivers, analyzing metrics such as physician visits and hospital admissions.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to self-reported data and the specific demographic of employed caregivers.
Limitations
The study lacked a non-caregiver control group to compare healthcare utilization rates.
Participant Demographics
The sample was predominantly female (69.2%) and slightly older than the average Canadian (mean age 49.7 years).
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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