Disability and physical and communication-related barriers to health care related services among Florida residents: A brief report.
Research has not fully characterized barriers to health care faced by persons with disabilities (PWD) which constitutes a critical gap given the increased risk of chronic illness faced by PWD.



To understand the current barriers to seeking health care-related services for PWD in Florida.



The study was based on a random-digit-dial telephone interview survey of respondents aged 18 and over (n = 1429). Multivariable logistic regression assessed the relationship between disability and physical and communication barriers.



One thousand four hundred and twenty-nine Florida residents participated in the survey. Thirty-three percent of respondents (n = 471) reported having a disability. PWD were significantly older (mean age 68 vs. 61) and had lower levels of income and education than persons without disabilities (PWOD) (p < 0.05). In adjusted analyses, PWD had significantly higher odds of encountering a physical environment barrier (Odds Ratio [OR] = 16.6 95% CI: 7.9, 34.9), a clinical experience barrier (OR = 13.9 95% CI: 6.9, 27.9) a communication and knowledge barrier (OR = 6.7 95% CI: 4.0, 11.3) and a barrier coordinating care (OR = 5.7 95% CI: 3.4, 9.6) compared to persons without disabilities (PWOD).



PWD disproportionately face health care access difficulties that can impede the receipt of high quality care within and between provider visits. Efforts to reduce physical barriers and improve communication between providers and PWD may improve functional status and quality of life for these patients.
Department of Health Services Research, Management and Policy, University of Florida, USA. Electronic address: secbauer@ufl.edu.
Sarah E
SE
Bauer
Department of Health Services Research, Management and Policy, University of Florida, USA.
Jessica R
JR
Schumacher
Department of Health Services Research, Management and Policy, University of Florida, USA.
Allyson
A
Hall
Department of Health Services Research, Management and Policy, University of Florida, USA.
Nicole M
NM
Marlow
Department of Health Services Research, Management and Policy, University of Florida, USA; Florida Disability and Health Program, USA.
Claudia
C
Friedel
Department of Health Services Research, Management and Policy, University of Florida, USA; Florida Disability and Health Program, USA.
Danielle
D
Scheer
Florida Department of Health, Disability and Health Program, USA.
Susan
S
Redmon
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003144:Communication Barriers; D006233:Persons with Disabilities; D004779:Environment Design; D005260:Female; D005431:Florida; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D066086:Health Services for Persons with Disabilities; D054625:Healthcare Disparities; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010346:Patient Care Management; D011361:Professional Competence; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D012307:Risk Factors; D063508:Social Discrimination
Access to health care; Communication barriers; Disparities; Physical barriers