Examining Disparities in Outpatient Rehabilitation Among Stroke Survivors

University of Washington: Health Promotion Research Center

Topics:
Cardiovascular Health

Stroke is the leading cause of disability among American adults, but rehabilitation can reduce disability among stroke survivors and help them recover. In California, however, 47% of adults who had a stroke did not receive outpatient rehabilitation services. Researchers are examining whether race, ethnicity, gender, age, or socioeconomic status are associated with differences in referrals to and enrollments in outpatient stroke rehabilitation and the type of treatments provided. Researchers will determine the characteristics of patients and providers that affect who receives rehabilitation, which therapies are used, the role of physicians and other sources in referring and delivering outpatient rehabilitation, and whether patients who are referred are unable or unwilling to participate. Researchers are reviewing records of about 1,000 patients enrolled in Medicare and about 45,000 patients enrolled in the Northern California Kaiser Permanente Health Care System and will share results with policymakers, hospital administrators, and other health care providers in hopes of improving health care and reducing disability for adults who have had a stroke.

 

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