Healthcare Policy
Use of Publicly Reported Surgical Wait Time Information by Community Family Physicians in Toronto, Canada
Olivia J.S. Varkul, Noah Ivers, Julie L. Takata, Vasily Giannakeas and David R. Urbach
The Ontario Wait Time Information System (WTIS) provides publicly accessible surgical wait time data. This study evaluated WTIS use among Ontario primary care physicians to understand how wait time information is interpreted and applied. We invited 1,306 physicians to complete an online survey. Of 151 respondents, 90.9% were unaware of the WTIS. However, 87.5% said hospital wait time data would influence referrals, and 95.1% preferred surgeon-specific wait times. Additionally, 97.2% were willing to use a single-entry referral system. Increasing WTIS awareness and adding surgeon-level data may enhance referral practices.
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