Accessibility of primary care physicians' offices for people with disabilities. An analysis of compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act.

OBJECTIVE

To determine if primary care physicians are in compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) and to what extent offices of primary care physicians are usable for persons with disabilities.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional survey.

SETTING

Members listed in the Harris County (Texas) Medical Society roster.

SUBJECTS

Sixty-two general practitioners, family practitioners, internists, and obstetrician-gynecologists.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

A 15-page questionnaire with 57 items and 136 variables.

RESULTS

Eleven (18%) of the primary care physicians in this study were unable to serve their patients with disabilities in the last year for reasons that could be interpreted as noncompliant with the ADA. Two physicians (3%) had offices that patients with disabilities could not enter because of physical barriers, and 1 physician (2%) had inaccessible equipment. Fourteen physicians (22%) were improperly referring patients with disabilities although they generally treat such patients. In measuring the level of compliance with regard to structural features that enhance the accessibility of the physicians' offices, only 8 (13%) had a low level of compliance. Thirty-nine (63%) of the physicians supplied auxiliary aids and services to their patients with disabilities. The most common aid was printed materials.

CONCLUSIONS

A substantial portion of primary care physicians' offices are not in compliance with the ADA, and some informational tools will be required to inform physicians about the nondiscriminatory requirements of the statute.