Needs of an uninsured equity-deserving minority patient cohort with physical disabilities during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.
D Claus, C Draganich, J Berliner and 4 others
PMID 36873817WHAT IT FOUND
Uninsured patients with physical disabilities reported unmet medical needs, broken equipment, and isolation most frequently.
Rent and job worries peaked early in the pandemic, while equipment problems persisted longer. These findings highlight gaps in care for vulnerable populations during crises.
Key findings
01Medical issues were the most frequently reported need (46%), followed by equipment needs and mental health concerns (both 30%).
02Patient needs shifted over time, with rent and employment concerns appearing early and equipment problems becoming more frequent in later months.
03Participants faced barriers to care including inability to fix or replace mobility equipment, lack of transportation, and prohibitive medication costs.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTsWhat it means for SLPs
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What it does not show
The study was conducted at a single site, limiting generalizability. Only 51 of 89 contacted patients completed the assessment, with response rates ranging from 36% to 64% each month, meaning the voices of those who did not answer may have been different. The needs assessment was non-structured and informal, not a formal research study with empirical evidence or causation. Themes were identified and summarized by investigators, which introduces potential bias despite independent confirmation. The study focused on the first wave of the pandemic, so findings may not apply to later phases or different crises.
Declared interests
The authors declared no conflicts of interest. The study was supported by the local institutional review board and conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki. No specific funding source for the work itself was listed in the provided text, though the clinic is described as pro bono.
The easy way to misread this
Do not interpret this as evidence that telemedicine or pro bono clinics successfully met these patients' needs. The study reports what patients needed, not what was delivered or whether the interventions worked. It highlights gaps in care during a crisis, not the efficacy of the clinic's response.