ANZ journal of surgery
-
ANZ journal of surgery · Apr 2003
Differences in the surgical admissions to hospital between the indigenous and non-indigenous populations of Australia.
The overall rate of admission to hospital for indigenous Australians is in general much higher than that for the non-indigenous Australians. However, this result is not uniform for surgical and medical admissions. Previous studies in the Northern Territory have suggested a cultural aversion to surgery among indigenous Australians. In the present study the current data of admission to hospital are analysed to explore the pattern for surgical procedures in the indigenous population and to determine whether the disparity between indigenous and non-indigenous populations still exists at this later period. ⋯ It seems that the disparity between admission patterns for indigenous and non-indigenous populations still exists in NSW at this later period, particularly in rural areas. There appears to be a need to find ways to overcome a possible bias within the indigenous population against surgery. It is possible that medical treatments are being substituted for surgical procedures.