Utilization of Routine Primary Care Services Among Dancers

Abstract

This study examines the current utilization of primary and preventive health care services among dancers in order to assess their self-reported primary care needs. Participants were 37 dancers from a variety of dance backgrounds who presented for a free dancer health screening in a large US metropolitan area (30 females, 7 males; mean age: 27.5 ± 7.4 years; age range: 19 to 49 years; mean years of professional dancing: 6.4 ± 5.4 years). Dancers were screened for use of primary care, mental health, and women's health resources using the Health Screen for Professional Dancers developed by the Task Force on Dancer Health. Most dancers had health insurance (62.2%), but within the last 2 years, only approximately half of them (54.1%) reported having a physical examination by a physician. Within the last year, 54.1% of dancers had had a dental check-up, and 56.7% of female dancers received gynecologic care. Thirty percent of female participants indicated irregular menstrual cycles, 16.7% had never been to a gynecologist, and 16.7% were taking birth control. Utilization of calcium and vitamin D supplementation was 27.0% and 29.7%, respectively, and 73.0% were interested in nutritional counseling. A high rate of psychological fatigue and sleep deprivation was found (35.1%), along with a concomitant high rate of self-reported need for mental health counseling (29.7%). Cigarette and recreational drug use was low (5.4% and 5.4%); however, 32.4% engaged in binge drinking within the last year (based on the CDC definition). These findings indicate that dancers infrequently access primary care services, despite high self-reported need for nutritional, mental, and menstrual health counseling and treatment. More studies are warranted to understand dancers' primary health care seeking behavior.

Intervention in professional dance students to increase mental health- and nutrition literacy: A controlled trial with follow up

“…Our findings support previous reports on low mental health literacy among dancers [ 6 , 13 ], as they had a reduced knowledge base compared to the references. This short-duration intervention, designed specifically to improve mental health literacy and health aspects important to dancers, was successful at improving mental health literacy.…”

“…Nevertheless, these findings suggest that dancers possess an insufficient literacy of mental health [ 6 , 9 , 10 ] (i.e., the ability to gain access to, understand, and use information in ways which promote and maintain good health) [ 11 ], which could be related to the low priority psychology course included within the university curriculum of collegiate dancers [ 10 ]. With the experience of cultural- and/or self-stigma [ 12 ], low mental health literacy may hinder dancers from either accessing needed primary healthcare services or receiving optimal treatment [ 13 ]. To reduce the effects of mental health challenges and LEA, increased awareness [ 6 , 7 , 9 , 14 , 15 ], educational programs [ 3 , 6 , 7 , 14 , 16 , 17 ], and reporting effects from program implementation [ 3 , 6 , 7 , 14 , 16 – 18 ] are encouraged.…”

Self-Reported Perceptions of Sleep Quality and Resilience Among Dance Students

“…However, among professional dancers, there have been few studies on the effects sleep problems and poor sleep quality may have on dance performance, even though reports of sleep problems are common in this group. In fact, 35% of dancers visiting primary health care and mental health-care service facilities report psychological fatigue and sleep deprivation as main reasons for their visit (Alimena, Air, Gribbin, & Manejias, 2016). During the three months prior to a ballet premiere, dancers reported a significant decrease in sleep duration, sleep efficiency, and time spent in bed, and an increase in sleep disturbances once sleep had begun, although sleep latency appeared to be unaffected (Fietze et al., 2009).…”

Using the PEPPA Framework to Develop and Implement a Nurse Practitioner Role Within Canada’s National Ballet School

“…While most healthcare issues affecting youth relate to acute episodic illness or injury and preventative care, elite dancers may experience additional healthcare issues. Dance related injuries, malnutrition, disordered eating, body dissatisfaction are common primary care issues identified for dancers (Alimena et al, 2016;Russell, 2013). Furthermore, injury and the duration of recovery, plus the frequency of injury have been linked to increased stress, anxiety, depression, and fatigue in ballet dancers (Alimena et al, 2016;Jacobs et al, 2012;Noh, 2005).…”