Title
Obstacles to preventive care for individuals with disability: Implications for nurse practitioners
Recommended Citation
Marrocco A, and Krouse HJ. Obstacles to preventive care for individuals with disability: Implications for nurse practitioners. J Am Assoc Nurse Pract 2017; 29(5):282-293.
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
5-1-2017
Publication Title
J Am Assoc Nurse Pract
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Individuals with disabilities have been identified as a population with a significantly lower usage of preventive services. Nurse practitioners (NPs) provide a key access point in the healthcare delivery system for preventive services for vulnerable populations such as those with disabilities. It is essential to understand existing barriers that prohibit access to effective preventive care for this vulnerable population.
METHODS: Systematic search and review of Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Medline, PubMed, Google Scholar, and government reports and World Health Organizations reports. Twenty-six articles were included in the review.
CONCLUSIONS: This literature review confirmed previous notions that people with disabilities are receiving much fewer preventive services than the general population. The studies reviewed identified four major barriers that contributed to the lack of preventive care. These barriers included physical environment and system, transportation, provider knowledge and attitude, and financial. Recognition of the obstacles that this subpopulation faces in accessing preventive care services is the first step to effectively remedying this problem.
IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Preventive services have been identified as one of the cornerstones to improving health and quality of life. By understanding the circumstances that restrict those with disabilities from accessing preventive services, NPs can provide meaningful and effective solutions.
Medical Subject Headings
Adult; Attitude of Health Personnel; Disabled Persons; Health Services Accessibility; Healthcare Disparities; Humans; Nurse Practitioners; Preventive Medicine; Vulnerable Populations
PubMed ID
28266148
Volume
29
Issue
5
First Page
282
Last Page
293
