Access to healthcare services among persons with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
OBJECTIVE
Persons with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis frequently require access to a broad range of healthcare services. The purpose of the current study was to examine the healthcare access experiences of these two populations.


METHODS
Mail surveys were completed by 409 adults with self-reported osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis who were recruited through a variety of recruitment strategies such as advertisements placed in arthritis publications, internet sources, and physician referrals.


RESULTS
Participants self-reported not obtaining needed health care at high rates for several service domains, including mental health services (42%) and rehabilitation therapies (39%). The most frequent reasons for not obtaining services included lack of service coverage by the health plan and high costs. Type of arthritis was predictive of the ability to obtain primary doctor services.


CONCLUSIONS
The United States healthcare system continues to focus on treating acute disorders and has yet to adapt to the growing prevalence of chronic illness and disability. Changes will be needed in both healthcare financing and delivery structures to promote access to specialized services such as mental health services and rehabilitation therapies for persons with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Hagglund
Kristofer J
KJ
School of Health Professions, University of Missouri-Columbia, 65211, USA.
Clark
Mary J
MJ
Hilton
Shelley A
SA
Hewett
James E
JE
D000367:Age Factors; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000191:economics / Q000628:therapy*; D011307:Drug Prescriptions / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D019458:Insurance Coverage / Q000191:economics; D008297:Male; D008511:Medicine; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008875:Middle Aged; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000191:economics / Q000628:therapy*; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012046:Rehabilitation / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013038:Specialization; D014481:United States