Pediatric Surgical Outreach: An Underutilized Resource for Increasing Children's Surgical Capacity in Canada

In brief

This study examines pediatric surgical outreach programs in Canada as a solution to unprecedented wait times at children's hospitals. By exploring community-based surgical services as alternatives to hospital-based care, the research identifies opportunities to expand surgical capacity and improve patient-centered access for children.

• Wait times for pediatric hospital-based surgery in Canada have reached unprecedented levels with limited capacity expansion options.
• Community-based pediatric surgical outreach services represent a patient-centered alternative to centralized hospital care.
• Current pediatric surgical outreach programs in Canada are underutilized despite their potential to address capacity challenges.
• Decentralizing pediatric surgical services to community settings may improve access and reduce hospital wait times.

Written by the GCMD Library team from the article.