Predicting Barriers to Primary Care for Patients with Disabilities: A Mixed Methods Study of Practice Administrators

Authors

Jennifer Renee Pharr, University of Nevada, Las VegasFollow
Michelle Chino Dr, University of Nevada, Las VegasFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

4-2013

Publication Title

Disability and Health Journal

Volume

6

Issue

2

First page number:

116

Last page number:

123

Abstract

Background

People with disabilities continue to be identified as a group who experience disparate health/health care. They are less likely to engage in some health care services. Structural barriers are often identified as one of the reasons for the underutilization of some health care services by people with disabilities. However, to date no study has been conducted to understand why structural barriers persist twenty years after the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) became law.

Objectives

We examined the relationship between primary care practice administrators' knowledge of the ADA and the number of accessibility barriers that patients with mobility disabilities might encounter.

Methods

Primary care practice administrators who were members of a medical management organization were surveyed between December 20, 2011, and January 17, 2012. A mixed methods research design was employed. Data were analyzed using a Guttman scale, linear and multiple linear regression.

Results

ADA knowledge questions conformed to a valid Guttman scale. There was a significant inverse relationship between practice administrators' knowledge of the ADA and the number of barriers reported in their clinics. Age of the administrators and buildings built before 1993 were also significant predictors of the number of barriers.

Conclusion

This study helps to identify medical practices that are more likely to have access barriers and have the greatest need for ADA compliance interventions. Results from this study highlight practice administrators' need for specific knowledge of the ADA as it applies to their medical practice. Efforts are needed to improve disability training for health professionals.

Keywords

Americans with Disabilities Act; Health facilities – Barrier-free design; Health services accessibility; Patients with disabilities; People with disabilities; Practice administrators; Structural barriers

Disciplines

Community Health | Disability Law | Health and Medical Administration

Language

English

Permissions

Use Find in Your Library, contact the author, or use interlibrary loan to garner a copy of the article. Publisher copyright policy allows author to archive post-print (author’s final manuscript). When post-print is available or publisher policy changes, the article will be deposited

Repository Citation

Pharr, J. R., Chino, M. (2013). Predicting Barriers to Primary Care for Patients with Disabilities: A Mixed Methods Study of Practice Administrators. Disability and Health Journal, 6(2), 116-123.