Unmet healthcare needs, access to services and experiences with health providers among persons with spinal cord injury in Australia

Spinal Cord, 2024 · DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41393-024-00997-4 · Published: May 28, 2024

Spinal Cord Injury Healthcare Rehabilitation

Simple Explanation

This study investigates healthcare access and unmet needs among Australians with spinal cord injury (SCI). It examines how often individuals with SCI use different healthcare providers, the unmet healthcare needs they experience, and their satisfaction with the healthcare services they receive. The research explores the connection between patients' experiences with healthcare providers and any unmet healthcare needs they might have. It also looks at how healthcare provider utilization relates to patient characteristics, including unmet healthcare needs. The study found that a significant portion of participants reported unmet healthcare needs, often due to service costs. It also showed a link between patients' experiences with providers and their unmet healthcare needs, highlighting the importance of positive healthcare interactions.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

1579 Australians aged ≥18, who were ≥1-year post-SCI and living in the community

Evidence Level

Cross-sectional survey

Key Findings

1
Unmet needs were reported by 17% of participants, with service cost the common deterrent.
2
There was evidence of an effect for provider experiences on unmet healthcare needs.
3
Being female, having greater functional capacity and a higher number of severe secondary conditions were associated with unmet healthcare needs.

Research Summary

This study focused on health service use, unmet healthcare needs and satisfaction with healthcare services provided for Australians living with SCI in the community. Unmet needs were reported among 1 in 5 participants. Moderate to high levels of satisfaction were reported by participants for GPs, state-wide SCI services and local hospitals. We found that experiences with healthcare providers were related to unmet healthcare needs.

Practical Implications

Improve Primary-Secondary Care Collaboration

Better collaboration between primary care physicians (GPs) and specialist SCI clinicians is needed to improve health access for people with SCI.

Address System-Level Issues

System-focused approaches are needed to improve health service resourcing, availability, and access, addressing issues like service costs and inadequate provider skills.

Implement Person-Centered Approaches

Adopting a person-centered approach, where people with SCI are actively involved in their care planning and decision-making, is crucial.

Study Limitations

1
The cross-sectional study design makes it difﬁcult to interpret the direction of some associations in a cause-effect manner.
2
The survey did not capture an individuals’ funding information.
3
Funding sources, for example, the national injury insurance schemes or broader disability funding schemes, including the National Disability Insurance Scheme, are complex but can include subsidisation of certain health providers, especially for allied health.

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