Providing no-cost transport to patients in an underserved area: Impact on access to physical therapy. (3rd July 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bove, Allyn M.; Gough, Steven T.; Hausmann, Leslie R.M.
• Is Part Of: Physiotherapy theory and practice. Volume 35:Number 7(2019)
• Page Start: 645
• Page End: 650
• Publication Date: 2019-07-03
• Subjects: Barriers -- access -- outpatient physical therapy -- transportation; Physical therapy -- Periodicals; 615.82
• DOI: 10.1080/09593985.2018.1457115
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0959-3985

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Background : Barriers to accessing outpatient health care services are common and contribute to poor health outcomes. We describe the efforts of a private practice physical therapy (PT) clinic to reduce these barriers by offering a door-to-door van service at no cost to patients.Methods : Clinic records and national census databases were retrospectively reviewed to explore the impact of offering no-cost van rides to patients attending outpatient PT appointments. We used descriptive statistics and linear regression to describe volume of utilization of the van service over a 40-month period. Paired t -tests compared PT clinic attendance rates (percentage of scheduled visits that were attended) before and after implementation of the van service.Results : Use of the van service increased significantly over time, from a mean of 83 riders per month in 2010 to 205 riders per month in 2013 ( p < 0.001). Overall clinic attendance rate increased from 80.1% to 84.1% after implementation of the service ( p = 0.002). Following introduction of the van service, 48% of patients using the van, compared to 25% of clinic patients overall, were uninsured or insured by Medicaid.Conclusion : Use of the van service increased over time, and availability of no-cost van transportation was associated with increased visit attendance for patients at an outpatient PT clinic.