ASO Visual Abstract: Poor Access to Mental Healthcare is Associated with Worse Postoperative Outcomes among Patients with Gastrointestinal Cancer

Background: Mental health has an important role in the care of cancer patients, and access to mental health services may be associated with improved outcomes. Thus, poor access to psychiatric services may contribute to suboptimal cancer treatment. We conducted a geospatial analysis to characterize psychiatrist distribution and assess the impact of mental healthcare shortages with surgical outcomes among patients with gastrointestinal cancer. Methods: Medicare beneficiaries with mental illness diagnosed with complex gastrointestinal cancers between 2004 and 2016 were identified in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)-Medicare registry. National Provider Identifier-registered psychiatrist locations were mapped and linked to SEER-Medicare records. Regional access to psychiatric services was assessed relative to textbook outcome, a composite assessment of postoperative complications, prolonged length of stay, 90-day readmission and mortality. Results: Among 15,714 patients with mental illness and gastrointestinal cancer, 3937 were classified as having high access to psychiatric services while 3910 had low access. On multivariable logistic regression, areas with low access had higher risk of worse postoperative outcomes. Specifically, individuals residing in areas with low access had increased odds of prolonged length of stay (OR 1.11, 95%CI 1.01–1.22; p = 0.028) and 90-day readmission (OR 1.19, 95%CI 1.08–1.31; p < 0.001), as well as decreased odds of textbook outcome (OR 0.85, 95%CI 0.77–0.93; p < 0.001) and discharge to home (OR 0.89, 95%CI 0.80–0.99; p = 0.028). Conclusion: Patients with mental illness and lower access to psychiatric services had worse postoperative outcomes. Policymakers and providers should prioritize incorporating mental health screening and access to psychiatric services to address disparities among patients undergoing gastrointestinal surgery. © 2023, Society of Surgical Oncology.