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Variations in demand and provision for publicly funded outpatient musculoskeletal physiotherapy services across Quebec, Canada
- Source :
- Journal of evaluation in clinical practice. 23(6)
- Publication Year :
- 2017
-
Abstract
- Rationale The prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders is high and expected to increase in the next decade. Persons suffering from musculoskeletal disorders benefit from early physiotherapy services. However, access to publicly funded physiotherapy services has been shown to be compromised by long waiting times and limited availability of resources in many countries around the world. Decisions on resource allocation may create geographic disparities in provision and access to services, which may result in inequity in access. Aims and objectives This study aimed to assess variations in demand and provision of publicly funded outpatient physiotherapy services across the province of Quebec, Canada, as well as to assess the demand to provision relationship. Methods We conducted a secondary analysis of data retrieved from the 2008 Quebec Health Survey and data obtained from a survey of hospitals in the province of Quebec in 2015. We used geographic information systems analyses and descriptive analyses to assess geographic variations and the relationship between demand and provision. Results Our results indicate substantial variations in the provision and demand for physiotherapy services in the province of Quebec. The variations in service provision did not follow the variations in demand. Long waiting times and insufficient provision of services were found in many regions. Conclusions The variations in provision of physiotherapy services between regions reported in our study did not correspond to the variations in demand. Such geographic variations and demand to provision mismatches may create inequity in access to services, especially for those unable to afford private services.
- Subjects :
- Waiting time
Adult
Male
medicine.medical_specialty
Geographic information system
Adolescent
Waiting Lists
Service provision
Health Services Accessibility
03 medical and health sciences
Young Adult
0302 clinical medicine
Residence Characteristics
Secondary analysis
medicine
Ambulatory Care
Humans
030212 general & internal medicine
Musculoskeletal Diseases
Physical Therapy Modalities
Aged
Health Services Needs and Demand
business.industry
Health Policy
Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
Quebec
Middle Aged
Physical therapy
Resource allocation
Health survey
Female
Business
030217 neurology & neurosurgery
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 13652753
- Volume :
- 23
- Issue :
- 6
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- Journal of evaluation in clinical practice
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....66eac9e1d0cdb599d4a79640327bea21