Regional transplant rates depend more on physician-dependent variables than on proximity to transplant center

Payani E, Börner N, Kolliogiannis D, Brunner S, Klein I, Ehmer U, Denk G, Lange CM, Ograja K, Dietrich P, Werner J, Guba M (2023)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2023

Journal

Langenbecks Archives of Surgery Springer Verlag (Germany)

Book Volume: 408

Article Number: 191

Journal Issue: 1

DOI: 10.1007/s00423-023-02874-9

Abstract

Purpose: The objective of this work was to uncover inequalities in access to liver transplantation in Bavaria, Germany. Methods: For this purpose, the annual transplantation rate per 1 million inhabitants for the respective districts was determined from the aggregated postal codes of the place of residence of transplanted patients. The variables examined were proximity and travel time to the nearest transplant center, as well as the care category of the regional hospital. In addition, we assessed whether the head of gastroenterology at the regional hospital through which liver transplant candidates are referred was trained at a liver transplant center. Results: We could not demonstrate a direct relationship between proximity or travel time to the nearest transplant center and access to liver transplantation. Multivariate regression analysis shows that liver transplant training (p < 0.0001) of the chief physician (gastroenterologist) of the regional hospital was the most decisive independent factor for access to liver transplantation within a district. Conclusion: We show that the transplant training experience of the head of gastroenterology at a regional hospital is an independent factor for the regional transplantation rate. Therefore, it appears important to maintain some liver transplant expertise outside the transplant centers in order to properly identify and assign potential transplant candidates for transplantation.

Authors with CRIS profile

Peter Dietrich Department of Medicine 1 – Gastroenterology, Pneumology and Endocrinology

Involved external institutions

Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) DE Germany (DE) Universitätsklinikum Regensburg DE Germany (DE) Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg DE Germany (DE) Klinikum rechts der Isar DE Germany (DE) Klinikum der Universität München DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Payani, E., Börner, N., Kolliogiannis, D., Brunner, S., Klein, I., Ehmer, U.,... Guba, M. (2023). Regional transplant rates depend more on physician-dependent variables than on proximity to transplant center. Langenbecks Archives of Surgery, 408(1). https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00423-023-02874-9

MLA:

Payani, Elnaz, et al. "Regional transplant rates depend more on physician-dependent variables than on proximity to transplant center." Langenbecks Archives of Surgery 408.1 (2023).

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