Article

Health care providers recommend an annual visit to a multiple
sclerosis specialty care provider. OBJECTIVE: To examine potential barriers to
the implementation of this recommendation in the Veterans Health Administration.
DESIGN: Observational cohort study. SETTING: Veterans Health Administration.
PARTICIPANTS: Participants were drawn from the Veterans Affairs Multiple
Sclerosis National Data Repository and were included if they had an outpatient
visit in 2007 and were alive in 2008 (N = 14,723). MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS:
Specialty care visit, receipt of medical services. RESULTS: A total of 9643
(65.5%) participants had a specialty care visit in 2007. Veterans who were
service connected, had greater medical comorbidity, and who lived in urban
settings were more likely to have received a specialty care visit. Veterans who
were older and had to travel greater distances to a center were less likely to
have a specialty care visit. CONCLUSIONS: Access to care in rural areas and areas
at a greater distance from a major medical center represent notable barriers to
rehabilitation and other multiple sclerosis-related care.
CI - Copyright (c) 2013 American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.
Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS