Disability and Experiences of Health Care in Lucas County, Ohio

Abstract

Introduction: Americans with disabilities face a number of barriers to accessing appropriate, respectful, and timely health care, but there remains limited research collecting their perspectives and lived experiences. This paper presents the results of an exploratory mixed-methods study conducted in Lucas County, Ohio, arguing that patient perspectives are crucial for identifying and addressing inequities in health care access.

Methods: We conducted an online survey with 42 respondents self-identifying as having a disability who live and/or receive health care in Lucas County, Ohio. We deployed a mixed-methods approach including both 5-point Likert scales and open-ended qualitative responses across 4 categories: scheduling, access to care, communication, and quality of care, along with basic demographic information. 

Results: Findings addressed 3 major themes, attitudes, access, and infrastructure, as well as 9 subthemes. While most respondents reported positive clinical experiences overall, a substantial minority shared a number of barriers. Regarding attitudes, respondents experienced diagnostic overshadowing, invalidation, and self-blame for poor clinical encounters, as well as positive experiences when clinicians approached with respect for their requests and experiences. Respondents also reported inaccessible medical equipment, communication methods, and policies and practices that hindered their access to care. On the macro level, respondents spoke to issues with insurance and timely access to qualified providers.

Conclusion: Patient perspectives can yield new insights that can and should be applied across health care settings, including integration into curricula and trainings. There is a need for both adaptations to clinical settings and practices, such as the integration of accessible medical equipment, as well as changes that enable easier navigation of health care systems and development pipelines for qualified, disability-conscious practitioners.

Keywords: Disability, Health care, Lucas County, Mixed methods, Inequities, Experiences

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