TY - JOUR
T1 - A Comparison of Self-Reported Unmet Healthcare Needs among Adaptive and Able-Bodied Athletes
AU - Ramey, Lindsay
AU - Hayano, Todd
AU - Blatz, Daniel
AU - Gedman, Marissa
AU - Blauwet, Cheri
N1 - Funding Information:
We would like to thank the Kelley Adaptive Sports Research Center, Dare2Tri, the Shirley Ryan Ability Lab Adaptive Sports Program, the Greater Lakes Adaptive Sports Association (GLASA), and Derek Daniels for their support and participation in this project.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2019 American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
PY - 2020/1/1
Y1 - 2020/1/1
N2 - Background: Studies have revealed a higher incidence of injury and illness among elite adaptive athletes when compared to able-bodied athletes in competition. However, individuals with disabilities report poorer access to health care. Objective: The purpose of this study is to identify differences in healthcare access, satisfaction, and unmet needs between recreational adaptive and able-bodied athletes in all sports and within a single sport (hockey). Design: Cross-sectional, survey-based study. Setting: Recreation sports programs in Boston, MA and Chicago, IL. Participants: Adult, recreational, competitive adaptive, and able-bodied athletes. Interventions: Not applicable. Main Outcome Measure(s): The Short-Form Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire (PSQ-18) for healthcare access and satisfaction; percentage of athletes reporting unmet sports-related healthcare needs in the prior year. Results: Sixty adaptive athletes (78% male, age 35.7 ± 12.4 years) and 65 able-bodied athletes (40% male, age 34.9 ± 11.9 years) participated. Mean access and satisfaction scores were not significantly different between groups in all sports (P =.53 and P =.19, respectively) or hockey (P =.28 and P =.55, respectively). Unmet needs were more commonly reported among adaptive athletes (18.3% all sports, 20.0% hockey) as compared to able-bodied athletes (9.2% all sports, 4.0% hockey). This reached statistical significance in the hockey group (P =.03), but not all sports (P =.12). Conclusions: No differences were seen between groups in healthcare access or satisfaction scores. Adaptive athletes of the same sport reported a higher rate of unmet sports-related healthcare needs but with few doctor's visits in the preceding year, suggesting discrepancies in expectations and healthcare-seeking behavior. Level of Evidence: III.
AB - Background: Studies have revealed a higher incidence of injury and illness among elite adaptive athletes when compared to able-bodied athletes in competition. However, individuals with disabilities report poorer access to health care. Objective: The purpose of this study is to identify differences in healthcare access, satisfaction, and unmet needs between recreational adaptive and able-bodied athletes in all sports and within a single sport (hockey). Design: Cross-sectional, survey-based study. Setting: Recreation sports programs in Boston, MA and Chicago, IL. Participants: Adult, recreational, competitive adaptive, and able-bodied athletes. Interventions: Not applicable. Main Outcome Measure(s): The Short-Form Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire (PSQ-18) for healthcare access and satisfaction; percentage of athletes reporting unmet sports-related healthcare needs in the prior year. Results: Sixty adaptive athletes (78% male, age 35.7 ± 12.4 years) and 65 able-bodied athletes (40% male, age 34.9 ± 11.9 years) participated. Mean access and satisfaction scores were not significantly different between groups in all sports (P =.53 and P =.19, respectively) or hockey (P =.28 and P =.55, respectively). Unmet needs were more commonly reported among adaptive athletes (18.3% all sports, 20.0% hockey) as compared to able-bodied athletes (9.2% all sports, 4.0% hockey). This reached statistical significance in the hockey group (P =.03), but not all sports (P =.12). Conclusions: No differences were seen between groups in healthcare access or satisfaction scores. Adaptive athletes of the same sport reported a higher rate of unmet sports-related healthcare needs but with few doctor's visits in the preceding year, suggesting discrepancies in expectations and healthcare-seeking behavior. Level of Evidence: III.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85072159845&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85072159845&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1002/pmrj.12202
DO - 10.1002/pmrj.12202
M3 - Article
C2 - 31199583
AN - SCOPUS:85072159845
SN - 1934-1482
VL - 12
SP - 36
EP - 42
JO - PM and R
JF - PM and R
IS - 1
ER -