Exploring wait list prioritization and management strategies for publicly funded ambulatory rehabilitation services in ontario, Canada: further evidence of barriers to access for people with chronic disease.

BACKGROUND

Timely access to publicly funded health services is a priority issue across the healthcare continuum in Canada. The purpose of this study was to examine wait list management strategies for publicly funded ambulatory rehabilitation services in Ontario, Canada.

METHODS

Ambulatory rehabilitation services were defined as community occupational therapy (OT) and physiotherapy (PT) services. A mailed self-administered questionnaire was sent to all 374 Ontario publicly funded sites. Descriptive statistics were used to explore management strategies.

RESULTS

The response rate was 57.2%. Client acuity was the most common method used to prioritize access across all settings. The most frequently reported methods to manage wait lists included teaching self-management strategies (85.0%), implementing attendance policies (69.5%) and conducting wait list audits (67.3%).

CONCLUSION

Ambulatory rehabilitation settings have implemented a number of strategies for wait list management. The results of this study suggest that an increasing number of Ontarians encounter barriers when accessing publicly funded ambulatory rehabilitation services.