Inequalities in access to health and social care among adults with multiple sclerosis: a scoping review of the literature

Publication date: Available online 3 January 2019Source: Multiple Sclerosis and Related DisordersAuthor(s): Hazel Roddam, David Rog, Jessie Janssen, Neil Wilson, Lucy Cross, Olufemi Olajide, Paola DeyAbstractVariations in access to health care are known to contribute to differences in life expectancy, morbidity and health-related quality-of-life across population subgroups. We undertook a scoping review to identify what is known about in-country variations in access to services for adults with multiple sclerosis and to identify gaps in the literature to inform future research and national policies. We searched MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, PSYCHINFO, SocINDEX and Social Science Abstracts from inception to end of December 2016 for quantitative studies which had investigated differences in access to prevention services, healthcare services, treatments and social care between inequality groups, defined using the PROGRESS-PLUS framework. A total of 4959 unique abstracts yielded 36 papers which met our eligibility criteria. Only 3 studies were cohort studies and only 4 were population-based; most were from the United States (n=27). There were 6 studies on access to MS focused care and 6 on access to Disease Modifying drugs. There were 3 studies on access to prevention/lifestyle programmes and none on access to welfare services or information support. There were no papers examining inequalities in access for ‘vulnerable’ groups, such as, those with learning disability. In the availa...
Source: Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders - Category: Neurology Source Type: research