A CIRANO study on high users of the healthcare system highlighted in La Presse

A recent article by Francis Vailles published in La Presse highlights the findings of a CIRANO study led by researcher Maude Laberge, Bile Yacouba Djedou, Anaïs Lacasse, Catherine Hudon and Thomas G. Poder.

Based on data from the TorSaDE cohort and covering nearly 20,000 Quebecers followed over a ten-year period, the study examines the care trajectories of high users of healthcare services. It confirms that a small proportion of patients accounts for a large share of healthcare resources: approximately 5% of users are responsible for about 50% of total healthcare expenditures.

The analysis also distinguishes between short-term high use often linked to a specific health episode and persistent high use patterns, which are much rarer but significantly more resource-intensive.

Among the factors associated with higher and more sustained healthcare use, the study identifies smoking, obesity, living alone, and lower income. However, the authors emphasize that these are correlations rather than causal relationships.

According to the researchers, these findings highlight the importance of better identifying at-risk profiles in order to enable earlier and more targeted interventions, with the goal of improving the efficiency of the healthcare system.

Overall, the study sheds light on a key public policy issue: improving understanding and support for the most intensive care trajectories in order to reduce pressure on the healthcare system.

To view the article

To view the study