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Background <p>Research has shown that adults with a diagnosis of spina bifida have higher healthcare needs and significant barriers to healthcare access (Liptak et al. Dev Med Child Neurol 2016 58(7):714–720; Young et al. Disabil Rehabil, 2005 27(23):1455–60). Patients who fail to transition to adult specialist services are also more likely to require unscheduled care (Dicianno, Arch Phys Med Rehab 2010 91(4):529–535). Paediatric patients can access the national paediatric spina bifida clinic, which provides structured, multidisciplinary healthcare from diagnosis to adulthood. Unfortunately, there is no equivalent service for adult patients, leading to a lack of designated healthcare resources for this cohort.</p> Aim <p>The primary aim of this study is to assess the healthcare utilisation of adult patients with spina bifida in the Munster region and explore barriers to healthcare access.</p> Method <p>An electronic survey was distributed via Spina Bifida Healthcare Ireland to adults with spina bifida living in Munster. Participants were asked about their baseline demographics, bowel and bladder function and hospital attendances. They were also invited to comment on barriers to care and areas for service improvement.</p> Results <p>Thirty-five responses were included in this study. The majority of participants reported planned attendance on at least one occasion to 12 distinct medical and surgical specialities over a period of 5 years. Twenty-two patients reported an emergency department attendance in the past 5 years. Patients who were under the age of 25 were more likely to attend multiple specialities over a wider range of hospitals than those over the age of 25. Most felt that a multidisciplinary approach to their care in the form of a dedicated clinic would be beneficial. Several highlighted inadequate wheelchair access as barrier to care.</p> Conclusion <p>There was a strong desire among respondents for greater coordination of care amongst speciality services to reduce the number of unplanned hospital attendances.</p>

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Healthcare utilisation in adults with spina bifida

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年4月24日

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  • Aisling Moriarty,
  • Aoibhinn McDermott,
  • Elaine J. Redmond

摘要

Background

Research has shown that adults with a diagnosis of spina bifida have higher healthcare needs and significant barriers to healthcare access (Liptak et al. Dev Med Child Neurol 2016 58(7):714–720; Young et al. Disabil Rehabil, 2005 27(23):1455–60). Patients who fail to transition to adult specialist services are also more likely to require unscheduled care (Dicianno, Arch Phys Med Rehab 2010 91(4):529–535). Paediatric patients can access the national paediatric spina bifida clinic, which provides structured, multidisciplinary healthcare from diagnosis to adulthood. Unfortunately, there is no equivalent service for adult patients, leading to a lack of designated healthcare resources for this cohort.

Aim

The primary aim of this study is to assess the healthcare utilisation of adult patients with spina bifida in the Munster region and explore barriers to healthcare access.

Method

An electronic survey was distributed via Spina Bifida Healthcare Ireland to adults with spina bifida living in Munster. Participants were asked about their baseline demographics, bowel and bladder function and hospital attendances. They were also invited to comment on barriers to care and areas for service improvement.

Results

Thirty-five responses were included in this study. The majority of participants reported planned attendance on at least one occasion to 12 distinct medical and surgical specialities over a period of 5 years. Twenty-two patients reported an emergency department attendance in the past 5 years. Patients who were under the age of 25 were more likely to attend multiple specialities over a wider range of hospitals than those over the age of 25. Most felt that a multidisciplinary approach to their care in the form of a dedicated clinic would be beneficial. Several highlighted inadequate wheelchair access as barrier to care.

Conclusion

There was a strong desire among respondents for greater coordination of care amongst speciality services to reduce the number of unplanned hospital attendances.