Adults with cognitive disabilities are more likely to have worse experiences with health care system: Study

People with cognitive disorders such as autism, attention deficit, and memory loss are less satisfied with their health care than the general population, according to a study published by Rutgers University researchers.

of studywas announced in Disability and Health Journalinvestigated how a national sample of adults experience the care they receive and the factors that contribute to that experience.

“People with cognitive impairments are more likely than people without cognitive impairments to feel that their health care provider listens to them carefully, provides explanations and advice in an easy-to-understand way, and spends enough time with them.'' “They were less likely to report that they were treated with care or respected for what they needed to do,” said Dr. said Elizabeth Stone, lead author of the study.

Previous research has shown that people with cognitive disabilities, such as autism spectrum disorders and Down syndrome, face barriers to accessing quality health care. Previous research has focused on the type of care people with cognitive impairment receive and the perspectives of their providers, rather than the experiences of patients with cognitive impairments themselves.

Using a national sample of more than 22,000 adults, including those with and without cognitive impairments, researchers analyzed patient-reported experiences with health care services and found that The satisfaction level of the experience was compared between the two.

Researchers found that people with cognitive impairment rated their overall satisfaction with health care services significantly lower than the general population. People with cognitive impairments also reported their worst experiences in medical settings.

Poor communication between patients and healthcare providers can lead to problems such as: harmful consequences For patients, he pointed out the need for health care providers to improve their ability to communicate with patients with disabilities.

“Addressing this issue may include incorporating disability competencies into medical education, increasing the time and effort that may be required to ensure the needs of patients with disabilities are met. “This should include policies that reflect this, such as enhanced reimbursement,” Professor Stone said. , is a lecturer in psychiatry at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.

In addition to the need for structural and policy changes, ordinary patients can also play a role. Researchers said patients should proactively prepare for medical appointments and seek accommodations to enhance their experience.

Researchers say future research in this area should examine how healthcare experiences differ by the range of cognitive impairments, other disabilities, and identities.