Practical considerations in the performance of physical examinations on women with disabilities.

There are over 28 million women with disabilities in the United States (1). This includes women with mobility and self-care limitations of varying degrees. Many of these women have difficulty obtaining comprehensive, accessible, and dignified physical examinations. Additionally, patients and clinicians are often misinformed about issues pertaining to healthcare needs of women with disabilities (2). This article outlines strategies to overcome physical barriers and gaps in knowledge, and proposes creative solutions for common problems encountered during the performance of the basic physical examination of a woman who has disabilities. It discusses the reality of sexually transmitted disease, promotes awareness of abuse in the population of women with disabilities, and offers guidelines physicians can follow in assisting their patients in resolving this abuse.