Access to traumatic spinal cord injury care in Saskatchewan, Canada: A qualitative study on community healthcare provider perspectives

Authors

  • Katherine Knox University of Saskatchewan, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Saskatoon City Hospital
  • Noelle Rohatinsky University of Saskatchewan
  • Marla Rogers University of Saskatchewan, College of Medicine
  • Donna Goodridge College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan
  • Gary Linassi Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Saskatchewan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15353/cjds.v3i3.174

Keywords:

Qualitative research, spinal cord injury, rural, healthcare access

Abstract

Healthcare provider experiences with access to care for disabled patient populations may inform healthcare system change and improve health outcomes. Persons with spinal cord injury often require access to life-long care. The objective of this study was to explore healthcare provider perspectives on client access to care in traumatic spinal cord injury. We used an interpretive qualitative study with semi-structured interviews and focus groups to explore provider perspectives on five access dimensions: availability, accessibility, affordability, accommodation, and acceptability. Volunteer (n=23) healthcare providers (therapists, physicians, nurses, home care workers and managers) working with traumatic spinal cord injury clients in Saskatchewan participated. Nine healthcare providers serviced rural areas. Healthcare providers felt restricted in their ability to ensure availability of services. In rural areas, therapy and counselling services were often not available. Parking and transportation barriers severely impacted the accessibility of services. Inconsistencies related to the affordability of equipment and accessible housing were expressed. Efforts to accommodate clients to remain in their home communities were apparent. Night time or early morning care seemed impossible to accommodate.  Healthcare providers accepted that attitudes and efforts concerning health advocacy among clients, families, and other care providers impacted access. Barriers related to availability, accessibility, and affordability were perceived to affect traumatic spinal cord injury care. Healthcare providers identified the need to accommodate clients’ needs by assuming different healthcare and advocacy roles, especially in the face of service shortages. However, restrictions imposed by administrative guidelines, policies or cost were perceived to limit the ability to fully accommodate client’s needs.

            

Author Biographies

Katherine Knox, University of Saskatchewan, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Saskatoon City Hospital

Dr. Knox is an assistant professor at the University of Saskatchewan, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Her clinical practice includes the multidisciplinary rehabilitation services for people with multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, brain injury and stroke. She is the director of the Saskatoon Multiple Sclerosis Clinic at Saskatoon City Hospital.

Noelle Rohatinsky, University of Saskatchewan

Noelle Rohatinsky, RN, PhD, CMSN(c) is an Assistant Professor with the College of Nursing, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada. Her area of research focuses on examining organizational and workplace factors that impact care being provided to clients in healthcare settings.

Marla Rogers, University of Saskatchewan, College of Medicine

Marla Rogers, BA, MPA is the spinal cord injury study Research Coordinator at the Department of Physical Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

Donna Goodridge, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan

Donna Goodridge, RN, PhD, holds an academic appointment as a Professor in the College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan. Her research interests are health services improvement for individuals with chronic illness, telemonitoring, and strategies to promote aging in place.

Gary Linassi, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Saskatchewan

Gary Linassi, BSc(Hons), BMedSc, MB, FRCPC, is a specialist in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and clinical lead for spinal cord injury at the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Saskatchewan.  He has a special interest in system change that advances improvement in the delivery of health care to people with spinal cord injury.

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How to Cite

Knox, K., Rohatinsky, N., Rogers, M., Goodridge, D., & Linassi, G. (2014). Access to traumatic spinal cord injury care in Saskatchewan, Canada: A qualitative study on community healthcare provider perspectives. Canadian Journal of Disability Studies, 3(3), 83–103. https://doi.org/10.15353/cjds.v3i3.174

Issue

Vol. 3 No. 3 (2014)

Section

Articles

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