Healthcare utilization among women with physical disabilities.
BACKGROUND
Current published data indicate barriers and deficiencies in healthcare for women with physical disabilities. Yet, information regarding the influence of secondary conditions and demographic variables on the actual utilization of general health and rehabilitative services is limited. This research examined this issue.


METHODS
Survey research


METHODS
Metropolitan Philadelphia region


METHODS
170 women between 21 and 65 years of age with physical disabilities


RESULTS
Most (96%) women had seen a general healthcare provider (eg, personal physician or gynecologist) in the past 6 months, with 60% reporting seeing such a provider 3 or more times. Despite this high frequency, many women had not had routine preventive gynecologic cancer screening services in the past 5 years. Additionally, respondents reported experiencing on average 12 secondary complications in the past year that moderately impaired their functioning. Many of these complications (fatigue, spasticity, deconditioning, joint pain, depression, social isolation) are preventable. Despite these complications, only about half of the women had seen a rehabilitative service provider (eg, physical therapist, mental health worker) in the past 6 months. Women who saw their general healthcare provider most frequently were more likely to also be receiving services from a rehabilitative service provider.


CONCLUSIONS
General healthcare providers are frequently seeing women with physical disabilities. Healthcare providers have the ability and opportunity to enhance the health and wellness of this population. Particular attention should be focused on providing preventive healthcare services, including gynecologic cancer screenings and prevention and management of secondary conditions that accompany disability.
Coyle
Catherine P
CP
Therapeutic Recreation and Kinesiology, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
Santiago
Mayra C
MC
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D006233:Persons with Disabilities; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys / Q000379:methods; D006296:Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D015143:Philadelphia; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires