In an odds ratio study for cardiac catheterization, what was the referral odds ratio reported?

In an odds ratio study related to cardiac catheterization, a referral odds ratio of 0.6 indicates that the odds of a specific outcome occurring (such as receiving a referral for cardiac catheterization) are lower in one group compared to another. An odds ratio of less than 1 (in this case, 0.6) suggests a protective effect or decreased likelihood of the outcome in the group being referred.

In healthcare studies, an odds ratio is often used to measure the association between an exposure (such as a risk factor or intervention) and an outcome (in this case, referral for cardiac catheterization). Therefore, an odds ratio of 0.6 means that the odds of receiving a referral are decreased by 40% in the population being studied compared to the alternative group.

The choice of 0.6 as the reported odds ratio provides meaningful insight into the potential disparities in cardiac care services and indicates a need to further evaluate factors contributing to this lower referral likelihood. This may help healthcare professionals understand and address the underlying reasons for such disparities in access to necessary interventions.