OBJECTIVE: Persons with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis frequently require access to a broad range of healthcare services. The purpose of the current study was to examine the healthcare access experiences of these two populations. DESIGN: Mail surveys were completed by 409 adults with self-reported osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis who were recruited through a variety of recruitment strategies such as advertisements placed in arthritis publications, internet sources, and physician referrals. RESULTS: Participants self-reported not obtaining needed health care at high rates for several service domains, including mental health services (42%) and rehabilitation therapies (39%). The most frequent reasons for not obtaining services included lack of service coverage by the health plan and high costs. Type of arthritis was predictive of the ability to obtain primary doctor services. CONCLUSIONS: The United States healthcare system continues to focus on treating acute disorders and has yet to adapt to the growing prevalence of chronic illness and disability. Changes will be needed in both healthcare financing and delivery structures to promote access to specialized services such as mental health services and rehabilitation therapies for persons with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
OBJECTIVE:Persons with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis frequently require access to a broad range of healthcare services. The purpose of the current study was to examine the healthcare access experiences of these two populations. DESIGN: Mail surveys were completed by 409 adults with self-reported osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis who were recruited through a variety of recruitment strategies such as advertisements placed in arthritis publications, internet sources, and physician referrals. RESULTS:Participants self-reported not obtaining needed health care at high rates for several service domains, including mental health services (42%) and rehabilitation therapies (39%). The most frequent reasons for not obtaining services included lack of service coverage by the health plan and high costs. Type of arthritis was predictive of the ability to obtain primary doctor services. CONCLUSIONS: The United States healthcare system continues to focus on treating acute disorders and has yet to adapt to the growing prevalence of chronic illness and disability. Changes will be needed in both healthcare financing and delivery structures to promote access to specialized services such as mental health services and rehabilitation therapies for persons with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Authors: Meredith B Christiansen; Celeste Dix; Hiral Master; Jason T Jakiela; Barbara Habermann; Karin G Silbernagel; Daniel K White Journal: Musculoskeletal Care Date: 2020-06-26
Authors: Miriam G Cisternas; Edward Yelin; Jeffrey N Katz; Daniel H Solomon; Elizabeth A Wright; Elena Losina Journal: Arthritis Rheum Date: 2009-12-15
Authors: Jennifer Brennan Braden; Lily Zhang; Ming-Yu Fan; Jürgen Unützer; Mark J Edlund; Mark D Sullivan Journal: Am J Geriatr Psychiatry Date: 2008-01-11 Impact factor: 4.105
Authors: Maura D Iversen; Todd A Schwartz; Johan von Heideken; Leigh F Callahan; Yvonne M Golightly; Adam Goode; Carla Hill; Kim Huffman; Ami Pathak; Jennifer Cooke; Kelli D Allen Journal: Phys Ther Date: 2018-08-01
Authors: Thomas Rosemann; Stefanie Joos; Joachim Szecsenyi; Gunter Laux; Michel Wensing Journal: BMC Health Serv Res Date: 2007-10-23 Impact factor: 2.655