Primary care for adults with physical disabilities: perceptions from consumer and provider focus groups

Area of Science:

• Primary Care
• Disability Studies
• Health Equity

Background:

• Family physicians require more data on effectively serving adults with physical disabilities.
• Understanding perceptions of primary care for disabled individuals is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore how consumers, educators, and professionals view primary care for people with physical disabilities.

Main Methods:

• Conducted six focus groups with 27 health professionals and 19 adults with physical disabilities.
• Utilized content analysis of transcribed recordings with independent author and participant review.

Main Results:

• Identified significant barriers to care including physical access, transportation, funding, professional knowledge/attitudes, communication, and health system failures.
• Recommended enhanced professional education on disabilities, improved communication, better physical accessibility, and longer appointment times.

Conclusions:

• Primary care settings must proactively address the unmet needs of individuals with disabilities.
• Family medicine education should incorporate training on care coordination, resource navigation, and disability-specific communication.