Objective: The purpose of this study was to identify predictors of emergency room use among non-elderly adults with disabilities. Methods: Telephone surveys were conducted with 632 disabled adult respondents in a northeastern city. All nonelderly (n=285)individuals were included in this study. Bivariate and logistic regression analyses were conducted with the dependent variable being having one or more emergency room visits (ER use)in the past 12 months. The independent variables were categorized per Anderson and Newman model's model of health services utilization. The predisposing factors were gender, race, and education; enabling factors were working for pay, attending a support group, having a place to get medical care, and type of insurance; the need factor was self-rated health. Results: When all factors were examined simultaneously in a multivariate logistic regression model, only two, attending a support group and being employed, were significantly associated with ER use. Disabled adults with no support group were over twice as likely to use the ER compared to those with a support group (OR=2.1849, 95% CI=1.02, 4.67), and those who were not employed were four times more likely to use the ER compared to the employed (OR=4.29,95% CI=1.57,11.73). Conclusions: The disabled may be using the ER when they have no other support resources available. Communities and policymakers may want to consider expanding community support and employment opportunities for the disabled.
Learning Objectives: At the end of this session, particpants will be able to: 1. Articulate the effect of between being in a support group on lowered emergency room use among disabled adults. 2. Describe the relationship between employment and emergency room use among disabled adults. 3. Understand the value of using a theoretical model when examining health behavior.
Keywords: Disability, Health Promotion
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.