Continuity of Care in Adults Aging with Cerebral Palsy and Spina Bifida: The Importance of Community Healthcare and Socioeconomic Context

Anam M. Khan, Paul Lin, Neil Kamdar, Elham Mahmoudi and Philippa Clarke ()
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Anam M. Khan: Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48106, USA
Paul Lin: Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
Neil Kamdar: Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
Elham Mahmoudi: Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
Philippa Clarke: Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48106, USA

Disabilities, 2023, vol. 3, issue 2, 1-12

Abstract: Continuity of care is considered a key metric of quality healthcare. Yet, continuity of care in adults aging with congenital disability and the factors that contribute to care continuity are largely unknown. Using data from a national private administrative health claims database in the United States (2007–2018). we examined continuity of care in 8596 adults (mean age 48.6 years) with cerebral palsy or spina bifida. Logistic regression models analyzed how proximity to health care facilities, availability of care providers, and community socioeconomic context were associated with more continuous care. We found that adults aging with cerebral palsy or spina bifida saw a variety of different physician specialty types and generally had discontinuous care. Individuals who lived in areas with more hospitals and residential care facilities received more continuous care than those with limited access to these resources. Residence in more affluent areas was associated with receiving more fragmented care. Findings suggest that over and above individual factors, community healthcare resources and socioeconomic context serve as important factors to consider in understanding continuity of care patterns in adults aging with cerebral palsy or spina bifida.

Keywords: aging; disability; congenital; continuity of care; healthcare; environment; community (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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