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Back arrow to return to all dot phrases page All dot phrases Impact of Transportation Difficulties on Health Outcomes

  • Transportation

Though the causal relationship between transportation and appointment-keeping is straightforward, relationships between transportation and health outcomes, particularly for patients with chronic health conditions, are likely affected by concurrent social barriers such as housing instability or food insecurity, as well as by many clinical considerations. Reaping health benefits may require providing transportation services as part of more comprehensive initiatives that simultaneously reduce those other social barriers.

Solomon et al., Medical Care, 2020
Pt experiences difficulties with transportation, which makes it challenging for her/him/them to attend medical appointments and other daily necessities. This is a common problem in the US and negatively impacts chronic disease management and access to medications, particularly for older adults, racial/ethnic minorities, and people living below the federal poverty line (Kamimura et al., Health Services Research and Managerial Epidemiology, 2018; Solomon et al., Medical Care, 2020; Starbird et al., Journal of Community Health, 2019; Syed et al., Journal of Community Health, 2013). Consistent with the literature, poor access to transportation has also impacted this pt’s ability to access employment and groceries (Solomon et al., Medical Care, 2020). We discussed the following safety and support plans: ***

Sources

  • Kamimura, A., Panahi, S., Ahmmad, Z., Pye, M., & Ashby, J. (2018). Transportation and Other Nonfinancial Barriers Among Uninsured Primary Care Patients. Health Services Research and Managerial Epidemiology, 5, 2333392817749681. https://doi.org/10.1177/2333392817749681
  • Solomon, E. M., Wing, H., Steiner, J. F., & Gottlieb, L. M. (2020). Impact of Transportation Interventions on Health Care Outcomes: A Systematic Review. Medical Care, 58(4), 384–391. https://doi.org/10.1097/MLR.0000000000001292
  • Starbird, L. E., DiMaina, C., Sun, C.-A., & Han, H.-R. (2019). A Systematic Review of Interventions to Minimize Transportation Barriers Among People with Chronic Diseases. Journal of Community Health, 44(2), 400–411. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10900-018-0572-3
  • Syed, S. T., Gerber, B. S., & Sharp, L. K. (2013). Traveling towards disease: transportation barriers to health care access. Journal of Community Health, 38(5), 976–993. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10900-013-9681-1