Self-Reported Barriers to Healthcare Access for Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients in Rural and Northern Saskatchewan: A...

Area of Science:

• Rheumatology
• Health Services Research
• Rural Health

Background:

• Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) management requires consistent access to medical and allied health professionals.
• Rural and Northern populations often experience unique barriers to healthcare access.
• Understanding patient perspectives is crucial for improving healthcare delivery in underserved areas.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify barriers to accessing medical and allied health services for rural and Northern Saskatchewan rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients.
• To explore patient experiences regarding appointment waiting times, travel, and satisfaction with healthcare provision.

Main Methods:

• 100 adults with established RA from rural/Northern Saskatchewan were interviewed.
• Structured interviews used standardized scripts to gather patient perspectives.
• Thematic analysis was applied to qualitative data.

Main Results:

• Patients reported concerns about waiting times for initial rheumatology appointments.
• Access to allied health professionals like physiotherapists (53%) and occupational therapists (26%) was limited.
• Longer travel distances for rheumatologists and OTs were noted, yet higher satisfaction was linked to longer travel times.
• Patients reported high satisfaction with rheumatologists and family physicians.

Conclusions:

• Waiting times for specialist appointments and access to allied health professionals are significant concerns for rural RA patients.
• Despite travel burdens, enhanced patient-provider relationships may improve satisfaction in remote settings.
• Addressing these access barriers is essential for equitable RA care in rural and Northern regions.