Examining Patient-Centered Communication and Access for Veterans With Disabilities

Objective: To determine if there are significant differences in patient-centered communication and access to care experienced by veterans with disabilities compared to veterans without disabilities and nonveterans with disabilities and what variables contribute to the likelihood of poor patient-centered communication and access to care. Methods: c2 analyses were used to determine differences in patient-centered communication and access to care. Logistic regression analyses were used to identify variables contributing to poor patient-centered care. Results: Veterans with disabilities were significantly less likely to say that a physician listened to their concerns, explained care so they understood, treated them with respect, spent enough time with them, and were less likely to get necessary care or experience a delay in getting care than veterans without disabilities. No significant differences were found when comparing patient-centered communication between veterans and nonveterans with disabilities. Veteran status protects against poor patient-centered care, whereas disability status increases the likelihood of poor patient-centered care. Conclusions: Health care providers should consider the unique strengths and limitations presented by veterans with disabilities in their patientcentered communication. Future research in partnership with veterans with and without disabilities is needed to determine effective strategies to improve patient-centered communication and health care access.