Access to Obstetric and Gynecologic Care for Patients With Disabilities

Although the Americans with Disabilities Act has been the law for more than 30 years, individuals with disabilities still face substantial barriers to health care and are at higher risk of receiving inadequate care than those without disabilities. It is important that obstetrician-gynecologists are aware of best practices for caring for their patients with disabilities, as well as how to adjust their offices, workflows, and practice patterns to be inclusive of all patients. Obstetrician-gynecologists and other reproductive health care professionals should understand the barriers that prevent disabled people from accessing reproductive health care. This is critical in identifying inequities and informing patient-centered approaches to services. Patients with disabilities should have access to the same health care as all patients, including all age-appropriate screening tests. It is important that health care teams acknowledge their inherent biases and offer and facilitate access to appropriate care, including recommended screening tests. Increasing training and exposure to individuals with different disabilities during medical training programs will not only help improve the lack of experience, but also help challenge the implicit and explicit biases that currently exist in health care.