Access to health care for disabled people: a systematic review

Abstract

The objective of this paper was to systematically review published studies to determine if disability limits access to health care and to attempt to identify what body functions, structures and activities and participation, as well as contextual factors (environmental and personal factors), interact with the health condition to limit this access. The AMED, CINAHL, EMBASE, Medline and psychINFO databases were searched for original study articles in English, dating from 1974 to 2008. Review articles and expert opinion were excluded. Each study had two independent reviews by either a general practitioner or specialist in rehabilitation medicine. Each study was critically appraised according to the National Service Framework for Long-term Conditions (Department of Health, 2005a) methodology and recorded on standardised data extraction sheets. Studies of poor quality were excluded. Sixty studies were included. No randomised controlled trials were identified. Studies broadly fell into the following three main groups: database studies (n=27), quantitative surveys (n=20) and qualitative interviews (n=13). Disabled people are restricted in accessing health care and report less satisfaction with their medical care. Many of the identified studies were from the United States (US) and based on subjective reporting. More objective evidence is needed, especially in the UK, to clarify the true level of access to health care in people with disabilities. The complex, interdependent factors in providing health care to disabled people require complex solutions.

Access to oral health care services among adults with learning disabilities: a scoping review

“…Although evidence of good practice has been reported under these areas, yet more research is needed in this domain (23). Although Authors found a systematic review (24) of the oral health of people with intellectual disabilities and access to healthcare for disabled people (25), yet the Authors did not find any review analyzing disparity in access to oral health care for people with learning disabilities. Therefore, the aim of this scoping review was to review access to oral health care for people with learning disabilities, along with identifying barriers to accessing oral health care that persists within society.…”

Accessibility of medical services for persons with disabilities: comparison with the general population in Korea

“…In addition, people with disabilities (PWD) may encounter barriers when they attempt to access health care services, which may result in further unmet health care needs. PWD may not receive the same quality of medical services as the general population due to environmental factors such as lack of insurance coverage, patient costs, lack of transportation, physical barriers to medical equipment and clinicians' attitudes, as well as personal mobility and communication limitations [3,4]. Accessible and appropriate health care is crucial for PWD to maintain good health and functioning, prevent secondary conditions and improve quality of life [5].…”

Access to healthcare for men and women with disabilities in the UK: secondary analysis of cross-sectional data

“…The available information shows that people with disabilities report worse access (including physical access into buildings) to services and worse satisfaction with provided services, that their needs are not recognised, and that they generally face several barriers, both structural (eg, lack of transportation), financial, and cultural (eg, misconceptions about disability). [12][13][14] Various studies have shown that disability is an added impediment in accessing health services. [15][16][17][18][19] A systematic review 13 on access to healthcare demonstrated that "… disabled people are restricted in accessing healthcare and report less satisfaction with their medical care" (p.21).…”

“…[12][13][14] Various studies have shown that disability is an added impediment in accessing health services. [15][16][17][18][19] A systematic review 13 on access to healthcare demonstrated that "… disabled people are restricted in accessing healthcare and report less satisfaction with their medical care" (p.21). Some of the barriers to healthcare access include lack of transport and inaccessible buildings.…”

“…Some of the barriers to healthcare access include lack of transport and inaccessible buildings. 13 People with disabilities often report that their needs are not understood or that they are treated as patients of low priority. 13 There is also a gender dimension, with women with disabilities often facing additional barriers in accessing healthcare services.…”