Masters Thesis

Healthcare Disparities Experienced by People with Cognitive Disability

People with cognitive disabilities are poorly represented in research on healthcare disparities. To identify healthcare disparities among people with cognitive disabilities, this study conducted 6 qualitative, semi-structured interviews with caregivers of individuals with cognitive disabilities. Caregivers were able to identify addressable healthcare disparities and illustrated specific examples. Findings suggest a greater need to: (1) better incorporate people with cognitive disability into the healthcare system, (2) expand the definition of healthcare to include services essential to the health of people with cognitive disabilities, (3) increase health professionals' exposure to people with cognitive disability, and (4) increase resources for Primary Care Physicians’ training on disabilities. Greater understanding of the challenges people with cognitive disability face must be incorporated into healthcare practice to facilitate healthcare practices that address the needs of people with cognitive disabilities.

Items in ScholarWorks are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.