Despite the recent focus on primary care reform, adults with physical disabilities continue to experience difficulties with access to primary care. The current initiative to improve access to Family Health Teams in Ontario for people with mobility impairments was launched jointly by the CDPA, Queen’s University Centre for Health Services & Policy Research, the Canadian Paraplegic Association Ontario, and the Primary Care Team at the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.
The specific change we sought with this initiative was to have at least one examining room in each FHT equipped with an adjustable examining table and/or a ceiling track lift. We first shared research about the issue with policy meakers at Ontario’s Ministry of Health and Long Term Care and Family Health Team administrators and physicians. Then we engaged in an evaluation of the effectiveness of this knowledge mobilization initiative with our partners at the Ministry.
To view the knowledge mobilization tool on the need for accessible examining tables within primary care practices please click on the link below:
To view the evaluation report on the increased number of accessible practices as a result of CDPA’s knowledge sharing efforts please click on the link below.
Improving Accessibility of Family Health Teams Evaluation Report