Abstract
Objectives: To assess the healthcare utilization of preschool children with disabilities, and to identify the barriers of getting access to the healthcare services. Methods: A structured questionnaire was used to measure the healthcare utilization and barriers involving 340 of the main carers of preschool children with disabilities in Taipei and the total response rate was 33.8%. Results: The mean number of physician visits was 14.75 in the previous four months, and 30.1% children had ever utilized the emergency care. Responses differed slightly in physician visits with regard to the age of children with disabilities and rehabilitation necessity. The inpatient and emergency care utilization were related to the level of disability of children with disabilities. The research findings revealed that the main barriers of healthcare services confronting the parents of children with disabilities were time and economic burden of healthcare services. Conclusions: The health needs of preschool children with disabilities were greater than the general population. To ensure their health rights, the healthcare system should be restructured to ensure the accessibility and availability for children with disabilities.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 412-418 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| Journal | Taiwan Journal of Public Health |
| Volume | 23 |
| Issue number | 5 |
| Publication status | Published - Oct 1 2004 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Barrier
- Disability
- Healthcare utilization
- Preschool children
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
