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Published on: January 20, 2019
Health care of physically handicapped young adults
M C Bax1, D P Smyth, A P Thomas
1Department of Child Health, Charing Cross and Westminster Medical School, London.
British Medical Journal (Clinical Research Ed.)
|April 23, 1988
Summary
Young adults with physical disabilities have significant unmet health needs, often lacking regular medical care and specialized support. Establishing dedicated adult disability teams is crucial for comprehensive care coordination.
Area of Science:
- Rehabilitation Medicine
- Public Health
- Disability Studies
Background:
- Limited understanding of health needs for young adults transitioning from pediatric care.
- Physically handicapped young adults face unique challenges post-pediatric services.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the health needs of physically handicapped young adults.
- To identify gaps in healthcare provision for this demographic.
Main Methods:
- Medical examinations and interviews conducted with 104 young adults with diverse physical handicaps.
- Assessment included physical condition, mental handicap, and need for special education.
Main Results:
- Subjects exhibited poor general health, with high prevalence of joint contractures, mobility issues, incontinence, and skin problems.
- Significant numbers had kyphoscoliosis, respiratory/cardiac issues, epilepsy, communication difficulties, and visual defects.
- Over half required intervention, yet less than a third received regular hospital care or therapy services; diagnoses were not regularly reviewed.
Conclusions:
- Young adults with physical disabilities experience substantial health deficits and inadequate healthcare access.
- There is a critical need for specialized adult disability teams within district health authorities to provide coordinated clinical services.
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