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Crul TC, Hacking EC, Visser-Meily JMA, Post MWM, Stolwijk-Swüste JM. Choosing non-pharmacological treatments for neuropathic pain in spinal cord injury: a qualitative study. Disabil Rehabil 2024:1-7. [PMID: 38840332 DOI: 10.1080/09638288.2024.2362402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE The aims of this study were to explore (1) the considerations of people with spinal cord injury (SCI) in choosing to use non-pharmacological treatments (N-PTs) for neuropathic pain (NP), (2) which factors influence their decision and who is involved in this choice. MATERIALS AND METHODS Eleven individuals with SCI and NP were interviewed. Interviews were transcribed verbatim, transcripts were analysed through thematic coding, following an inductive content analysis approach. RESULTS A journey towards finding and choosing N-PTs emerged. Key phases in this journey were: motives, strategy and practical considerations. Pain and its impact on their life led participants to consider N-PTs. Motives were participants' negative attitudes towards regular medication, willingness to try everything and disappointment and frustration with the guidance from their health care provider (HCP). The search strategies often involved third parties and the internet. This led them to choose a specific N-PT. The journey was influenced by one's attitude, previous personal experience, experience of HCPs, financial considerations, availability and convenience of the treatment. CONCLUSIONS The journey individuals with SCI and NP go through to find N-PTs to manage pain is difficult and often lonely. Findings highlight the importance of HCPs accompanying people with SCI in finding N-PTs.
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Affiliation(s)
- T C Crul
- Centre of Excellence for Rehabilitation Medicine, UMC Utrecht Brain Centre, University Medical Centre Utrecht, and De Hoogstraat Rehabilitation, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - E C Hacking
- Centre of Excellence for Rehabilitation Medicine, UMC Utrecht Brain Centre, University Medical Centre Utrecht, and De Hoogstraat Rehabilitation, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - J M A Visser-Meily
- Centre of Excellence for Rehabilitation Medicine, UMC Utrecht Brain Centre, University Medical Centre Utrecht, and De Hoogstraat Rehabilitation, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of Rehabilitation, Physical Therapy Science & Sports, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - M W M Post
- Centre of Excellence for Rehabilitation Medicine, UMC Utrecht Brain Centre, University Medical Centre Utrecht, and De Hoogstraat Rehabilitation, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Centre for Rehabilitation, University of Groningen, University Medical Centre Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - J M Stolwijk-Swüste
- Centre of Excellence for Rehabilitation Medicine, UMC Utrecht Brain Centre, University Medical Centre Utrecht, and De Hoogstraat Rehabilitation, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of Spinal Cord Injury and Orthopedics, De Hoogstraat Rehabilitation, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Bychkovska O, Pattanakuhar S, Arora M, Postma K, Strøm V, Joseph C, Tederko P, Gemperli A. Gender differences in patient experience among persons with spinal cord injury: A comparison across 22 countries. Disabil Health J 2024:101642. [PMID: 38796406 DOI: 10.1016/j.dhjo.2024.101642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 05/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/28/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Due to the majority of males within the population of persons with spinal cord injuries (SCI), a male-oriented perception of persons with SCI might affect care provision in the way of prioritizing male needs. OBJECTIVE The objective of this cross-sectional study is to describe the patient experience of persons with SCI by gender. METHODS This study was based on the International Spinal Cord Injury Survey with 12,588 participants from 22 countries. An interval-based patient experience score was attained by partial credit model. Regression analysis was used in exploring the association between patient experience and gender. RESULTS Participants reported very good and good patient experience. Respectful treatment was reported by 78 % of participants; clear explanations by 75 %; involvement in decision-making by 71 %; satisfaction with services by 62 %. The average patient experience score was equal among males and females (average: 64, range: 0-100), with the highest score in participants from the USA (78) and the lowest - in Morocco (44). Patient experience score was not associated with gender. Females had lower odds of reporting better decision-making involvement, yet higher odds of better satisfaction. Older participants, with higher household income and better self-rated health, had lower odds of being satisfied. CONCLUSION The majority of persons with SCI rated their experience as good or very good. Females were more likely to report higher satisfaction with services and lower involvement in decision-making. For other patient experience categories and the overall patient experience score, no association with gender was found.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olena Bychkovska
- Swiss Paraplegic Research, Guido A. Zäch Institute, Nottwil, Switzerland; Department of Health Sciences and Medicine, University of Lucerne, Lucerne, Switzerland.
| | - Sintip Pattanakuhar
- Swiss Paraplegic Research, Guido A. Zäch Institute, Nottwil, Switzerland; Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand.
| | - Mohit Arora
- John Walsh Centre for Rehabilitation Research, Northern Sydney Local Health District, St Leonards, NSW, Australia; The Kolling Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
| | - Karin Postma
- Rijndam Rehabilitation Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - Vegard Strøm
- Department of Research, Sunnaas Rehabilitation Hospital, Nesoddtangen, Norway.
| | - Conran Joseph
- Division of Physiotherapy, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa.
| | - Piotr Tederko
- Rehabilitation Clinic, Postgraduate Medical Education Centre, Professor Adam Gruca Independent Public Teaching Hospital in Otwock, Otwock, Poland.
| | - Armin Gemperli
- Swiss Paraplegic Research, Guido A. Zäch Institute, Nottwil, Switzerland; Department of Health Sciences and Medicine, University of Lucerne, Lucerne, Switzerland; Center of Primary and Community Care, University of Lucerne, Lucerne, Switzerland.
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Mannor KM, Needham BL. The study of ableism in population health: a critical review. Front Public Health 2024; 12:1383150. [PMID: 38694970 PMCID: PMC11061527 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1383150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Over the past three decades, health equity has become a guiding framework for documenting, explaining, and informing the promotion of population health. With these developments, scholars have widened public health's aperture, bringing systems of oppression sharply into focus. Additionally, some researchers in disability and health have advocated for utilizing socially grounded frameworks to investigate the health of disabled people. Yet, naming ableism, much less operationalizing it for the empirical study of health, remains scant. This paper critically reviews the study of ableism as a social determinant of disabled people's health within population health research. First, we provide an orientation to the present state of this literature by looking to the past. We briefly trace a history of traditional approaches to studying disability and health and alternatives that have emerged from critiques of the individualized lens that has dominated this work. Next, we delineate the operation of ableism across social levels. We characterize how ableism has been studied in population health in terms of levels of analysis (intrapersonal, interpersonal, institutional, and structural) and measures of interest. To conclude, we discuss hinderances to and promising avenues toward population health research that advances health equity for disabled people.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kara M. Mannor
- Center for Social Epidemiology and Population Health, Department of Epidemiology, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
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Bychkovska O, Tederko P, Strøm V, Juocevicius A, Gemperli A. Does stronger primary care improve access to health services for persons with spinal cord injury? Evidence from eleven European countries. J Spinal Cord Med 2023:1-11. [PMID: 36972217 DOI: 10.1080/10790268.2023.2188390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine the association between the strength of primary care and perceived access to follow-up care services among persons with chronic spinal cord injury (SCI). DESIGN Data analysis of the International Spinal Cord Injury (InSCI) cross-sectional, community-based questionnaire survey conducted in 2017-2019. The association between the strength of primary care (Kringos et al., 2003) and access to health services was established using univariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis, adjusted for socio-demographic and health status characteristics. SETTING Community in eleven European countries: France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Spain and Switzerland. PARTICIPANTS 6658 adults with chronic SCI. INTERVENTION None. OUTCOME MEASURES Share of persons with SCI that reported unmet healthcare needs as a measure of access. RESULTS Twelve percent of the participants reported unmet healthcare needs: the highest in Poland (25%) and lowest in Switzerland and Spain (7%). The most prevalent access restriction was service unavailability (7%). Stronger primary care was associated with lower odds of reporting unmet healthcare needs, service unavailability, unaffordability and unacceptability. Females, persons of younger age and lower health status, had higher odds of reporting unmet needs. CONCLUSIONS In all investigated countries, persons with chronic SCI face access barriers, especially with service availability. Stronger primary care for the general population was also associated with better health service access for persons with SCI, which argues for further primary care strengthening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olena Bychkovska
- Swiss Paraplegic Research, Guido A. Zäch Institute, Nottwil, Switzerland
- Department of Health Sciences and Medicine, University of Lucerne, Lucerne, Switzerland
| | - Piotr Tederko
- Department of Rehabilitation, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Vegard Strøm
- Department of Research, Sunnaas Rehabilitation Hospital, Nesoddtangen, Norway
| | | | - Armin Gemperli
- Swiss Paraplegic Research, Guido A. Zäch Institute, Nottwil, Switzerland
- Department of Health Sciences and Medicine, University of Lucerne, Lucerne, Switzerland
- Center of Primary and Community Care, University of Lucerne, Lucerne, Switzerland
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Alhusen JL, Hughes RB, Lyons G, Laughon K. Depressive symptoms during the perinatal period by disability status: Findings from the United States Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System. J Adv Nurs 2023; 79:223-233. [PMID: 36320150 PMCID: PMC9795828 DOI: 10.1111/jan.15482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Revised: 09/04/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
AIMS The aim of the current study was to compare the prevalence of depressive symptoms during the perinatal period among respondents with a disability as compared to those without a disability. DESIGN We conducted a secondary analysis of nationally representative data from the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System data from 24 participating United States between 2018 and 2020. METHODS A cross-sectional sample of 37,989 respondents provided data on disability, including difficulty in vision, hearing, ambulation, cognition, communication and self-care. The outcome of interest was perinatal depressive symptoms, defined as experiencing depressive symptoms during the antenatal period or postpartum period. Regression models were used to calculate odds of depressive symptoms during these two time periods by disability status while controlling for relevant sociodemographic characteristics and depressive symptoms prior to pregnancy. RESULTS Respondents with disabilities experienced a higher prevalence of depressive symptoms in both the antenatal period and postpartum period as compared to those without disabilities. In fully adjusted models, respondents with disabilities had 2.4 times the odds of experiencing depressive symptoms during pregnancy and 2.1 times the odds of experiencing postpartum depressive symptoms as compared to respondents without disabilities. CONCLUSION Respondents with disabilities experience a higher prevalence of depressive symptoms throughout the perinatal period thereby increasing the risk for adverse maternal, neonatal and infant health outcomes. IMPACT Perinatal depression is a significant public health issue globally, and our findings suggest that persons with disability are at an increased risk for depressive symptoms both during pregnancy and in the postpartum period. Our findings represent a call to action to improve clinical and supportive services for women with disabilities during the perinatal period to improve their mental health and the consequent health of their offspring. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION We thank our Community Advisory Board members who have been instrumental in the conception of this study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeanne L. Alhusen
- University of Virginia School of Nursing, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Rosemary B. Hughes
- University of Montana Rural Institute for Inclusive Communities, Missoula, Montana, USA
| | - Genevieve Lyons
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Kathryn Laughon
- University of Virginia School of Nursing, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
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Robinson-Whelen S, Hughes RB, Alhusen JL, Beers L, Minard CG, Davidson D. Health information seeking in the digital age: a national survey of women with disabilities. Disabil Rehabil 2022:1-10. [PMID: 35916449 PMCID: PMC9892349 DOI: 10.1080/09638288.2022.2105960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Access to high quality and accessible online health information (OHI) is critical for reducing disparities, overcoming barriers, and improving the health of women with disabilities. This study aimed to understand women with physical disabilities' use of the Internet to access OHI, most often searched health topics, perceived usefulness of OHI, and self-reported eHealth literacy and challenges in OHI seeking. METHODS We conducted a national online survey with 508 women with physical disabilities who used the Internet. RESULTS Respondents utilized a wide variety of OHI resources. They searched a broad array of health and disability-related topics, with bowel/bladder and finding a physician the most highly searched topics. They generally had confidence in their eHealth literacy skills and ability to understand statistics in OHI. Nevertheless, although our sample consisted of a majority of highly educated internet-users, a sizeable percentage found OHI seeking difficult and frustrating, did not find the information very helpful, and had concerns about the quality of information. CONCLUSIONS This study serves as a call to action to disability and rehabilitation scientists, health care providers, and other health professionals to enhance the availability and accessibility of OHI critical to empowering women with physical disabilities to make well-informed health decisions. Implications for rehabilitationAccess to high quality online health information (OHI) is critical for reducing disparities, overcoming barriers, and improving the health of women with disabilities.Many of the women with disabilities in our study found OHI seeking difficult and frustrating, did not find the information very helpful, and had concerns about the quality of the information.Disability and rehabilitation scientists, health care providers, and public health and health policy professionals need to do more to enhance the availability and accessibility of OHI and resources critical to empowering women with physical disabilities to make well-informed health decisions.Physical medicine and rehabilitation scientists are encouraged to develop and improve assistive technologies needed for accessing OHI, which in turn can promote the independent functioning of people with disabilities.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rosemary B. Hughes
- University of Montana, Rural Institute for Inclusive Communities and Department of Psychology, Missoula, MT, USA
| | | | - Leanne Beers
- University of Montana, Rural Institute for Inclusive Communities, Missoula, MT, USA
| | - Charles G. Minard
- Baylor College of Medicine, Institute for Clinical and Translational Research, Houston, TX, USA
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Cancer Disparities Experienced by People with Disabilities. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19159187. [PMID: 35954534 PMCID: PMC9367955 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19159187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2022] [Revised: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
People with disabilities, who represent a rapidly growing and seriously disadvantaged segment of the U.S. population, face unremitting barriers to equal and accessible healthcare and a high prevalence of chronic health conditions. A slowly growing body of research suggests multiple cancer-related disparities between people with and without disabilities. This commentary identifies multiple aspects of the cancer experience and highlights ways cancer is impacted by disability. This includes vulnerabilities to risk factors, barriers to accessing healthcare, and disparities in screening, diagnosis, and treatment. The authors offer six essential pathways for reducing cancer disparities faced by people with disabilities. It is clear that reducing cancer health disparities experienced by people with disabilities will require the commitment and cooperation of a wide range of stakeholders.
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