Management Strategies and Patient Selection After a Hospital Funding Reform for Prostate Cancer Surgery in Canada

Abstract

Key Points Question Was a change in hospital funding policy for radical prostatectomy associated with changes in management of localized prostate cancer in the province of Ontario, Canada? Findings In this population-based interrupted time series study, which included 33 128 patients with incident localized prostate cancer and 17 159 patients treated with radical prostatectomy, no statistically significant association of the change in hospital funding policy with most outcomes was found. However, potential improvement in appropriate patient selection for prostate cancer surgery was observed. Meaning The implementation of a hospital funding policy change aimed at improving health care quality and value was not associated with management of localized prostate cancer.