Abstract
Aim: This integrative literature review explored the factors that facilitate equitable access to primary care for disabled people.
Background: According to the World Health Organisation report (World Health Organisation [WHO], Action Plan 2014 2021), 100 million people worldwide live with a disability. This translates in New Zealand through an estimate of 24% of the New Zealand population, mainly women, children, and indigenous people including Māori and Pasifika, who consider themselves disabled (Statistics New Zealand [Stats], 2014).
Evaluation: Ten articles published between 2014 to 2022 were identified through the electronic database search of CINAHL, PsychINFO, Embase, Google Scholar, and PubMed databases, and manual searches. Selected studies were appraised using JBI critical appraisal tools. The narrative principles of Whittemore and Knafl's (2005) guided the analysis and synthesis of extracted data.
Results: Ten international studies were included and from the analysis of these studies four main themes were identified: Patient-focused care, collaborations, cultural competency, and the upskilling of staff for efficient care provision. Therapeutic relationship and confidentiality, flexibility with appointments and care provision, easy access to a specialist, continuity of care, multidisciplinary collaboration, and cross sector collaboration and communication were corresponding sub-themes.
Conclusion: Since June 2013, there has been progress in the area of facilitation of access to primary care for disabled people in New Zealand in general, including disabled Māori and Pacifica people. However, more work needs to be done that includes disabled people as partners in the process.
Implications for Clinical Practice: The synthesis from the review sheds light on the facilitators of access to primary care as perceived by disabled people. These findings will inform primary care-related policies, practices, and further research.