Systematic Review of Disparities in Access to Physical Medicine and Rehabilitative Care
by JaeJun Park
Category: Medicine
Abstract – Physical medicine and rehabilitative care are highly necessary for the maintenance and recovery of health and well-being. Furthermore, physical medicine allows patients to improve their quality of life and prevents other conditions from occurring. However, in the United States, multiple barriers exist to accessing care due to various social determinants of health. This review examines five key social factors: socioeconomic status, education, racial/ethnicity, gender, and geographic barriers. By investigating the most relevant disparities through a review of necessary scientific literature, this study would provide insight into targeted public health policies, making physical therapy more accessible.