Disparities in health outcomes occur due to patient, provider and healthcare system factors. In surgery, these disparities include higher mortality, longer length-of-stays (LOS), increased complications, and more readmissions for minority and disadvantaged populations. The mechanism for these disparities remains very unclear and certain surgical populations, such as patients with inflammatory bowel disease, have particularly worse outcomes. We are interested in identifying health disparities at the national, regional and local level and understanding why they occur in certain populations. Our approach uses both quantitative (i.e, big data analysis) and qualitative (i.e, patient-level interactions such as interviews and focus groups) methods to identify, understand and reduce disparities.

Specific efforts include studying the effect of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) programs on reducing disparities, profiling the gastrointestinal microbiome of minority surgical patients and establishing the role of social determinants of health on surgical outcomes.

Faculty

• Chu, Daniel, I, M.D.