Article

Negative healthcare provider attitudes toward patients with physical
disabilities may challenge the delivery of quality care to patients. The
objective of this study was to systematically review published studies examining
the attitudes of healthcare students and professionals toward patients with
physical disabilities. DESIGN: In October 2011, we searched four electronic
databases using the OVID platform. In addition, we screened citation lists.
Independent reviewers completed the selection of articles and data abstraction by
triplicate review using standardized and pilot tested forms. They resolved
disagreements by discussion or with the help of an additional reviewer when
necessary. Articles were included if they examined healthcare professionals' and
students' attitudes toward patients with physical disabilities. We did not
perform a meta-analysis because of the variation in instruments used and
variables examined. We used a qualitative approach to identifying and reporting
common findings across the studies. RESULTS: Results indicate that healthcare
students and professionals have favorable attitudes toward persons with physical
disabilities. More experience with persons with physical disabilities, both
professionally and socially, was associated with more favorable attitudes. In
addition, female healthcare students and professionals were found to have more
positive attitudes toward patients with physical disabilities than do their male
colleagues. Limited evidence exists examining the influence of age, race or
ethnicity, and rank of student or professional on attitudes toward patients with
physical disabilities. Finally, it was found that healthcare students and
professionals reported overall more favorable attitudes than did individuals in
non-healthcare professions. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, healthcare students' and
professionals' attitudes toward persons with physical disabilities were
favorable. However, some studies revealed the possibility that some healthcare
providers demonstrate fear and anxiety with the challenge of caring for a patient
with physical disabilities. Some of the factors associated with providers'
attitudes toward patients with physical disabilities are potentially modifiable
(e.g., experience) and could be the target of educational interventions to ameliorate this fear and facilitate higher quality care.

Langue : ANGLAIS