Adults with disabilities have more trouble finding a physician than people without disabilities, according to a report from The Arc of Massachusetts. And that means many of them are continuing to see pediatricians well into adulthood.
Why? In many cases it’s because internists are uncomfortable with patients who have disabilities, the report says. Also, doctors say they are not compensated well enough to take extra time to deal with a person who may have difficulty communicating or resist being touched.
As a result, adults with disabilities are often not getting treatment from those best prepared to handle common adult ailments like heart disease, reports The Boston Globe.
The Arc report is based on interviews with adults with disabilities, their caregivers, professionals who work with this population and health care providers. To read more click here.
