An evaluation of conceptual frameworks to improve reproductive health outcomes among women with physical disabilities.
Sarah E Harkins, Veronica Barcelona
PMID 38969486WHAT IT FOUND
Only two conceptual frameworks exist for reproductive health in women with physical disabilities.
One covers pregnancy and structural factors; the other covers broader reproductive lifespan and patient-reported outcomes. Neither offers tested clinical interventions.
Key findings
01A systematic search identified only two conceptual frameworks suitable for guiding research on reproductive health in women with physical disabilities.
02The Mitra et al. (2015) framework focuses on perinatal health and includes environmental and mediating factors, while the Kalpakjian et al. (2020) framework addresses broader reproductive health and supports the development of patient-reported outcome measures.
03Both frameworks were developed using samples of predominantly White women, limiting their applicability to other racial and ethnic groups.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
The review excluded frameworks for women with cognitive disabilities. Both identified frameworks were developed using samples of predominantly White women, limiting social congruence. The evaluation criteria were originally designed for nursing frameworks and had to be modified. Only peer-reviewed, English-language frameworks with diagrams were included, potentially excluding useful text-only models.
Declared interests
There are no conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not treat these frameworks as clinical guidelines for patient care. They are theoretical models intended to guide research study design and the development of measurement tools, not tested interventions for improving reproductive health outcomes.