Transforming the Healthcare of Women with Disabilities

2017

The Transforming Healthcare for Women with Disabilities Initiative is planned as a two-year multi-site project which will address health disparities faced by women with cerebral palsy while improving their quality of life. Four sites are involved in this project, including: Columbia University Medical Center, Boston Children's Hospital, University of California Los Angeles, and Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago. The Tarjan Center in collaboration with Center for Cerebral Palsy and UCLA Obstetrics and Gynecology, is focusing on pregnancy planning, postpartum, and parenting. Patient surveys indicated nearly two-thirds of women were not asked whether they wish to have a child. For pregnant women with CP, very few were referred for antepartum services such as physical and/or occupational therapy and postpartum services such as depression or other educational resources beyond breastfeeding and family planning. From the provider survey, the Top three barriers to providing care are 1) Inadequate visit time, 2) Communication issues (e.g. impaired speech, use of assistive communication devices), 3) Insufficient support staff to assist with visit. The focus groups exemplified some of the barriers and provided positive examples. Tarjan Center faculty and staff are developing educational materials for providers and patients to address pregnancy-related concerns and informational needs of both groups.

Women, health, disabilities, health disparities, cerebral palsy

Performing Direct and/or Demonstration Services, Performing Research or Evaluation, Developing & Disseminating Information, Other Direct/Model Services

Quality Assurance, Health-Related Activities

Professionals and Para-Professionals, Family Members/Caregivers, Adults with Disabilities, Legislators/Policy Makers, General Public

Other

Regional

N/A