PERCEPTIONS OF CARE ACCESS - THE EXPERIENCE OF RURAL AND URBAN WOMEN FOLLOWING BRAIN INJURY

To examine care access among women with brain injuries, a qualitative, phenomenological study was conducted. Twenty-one women with acquired brain injuries were recruited for the inquiry, representing rural and urban regions of Colorado. The phenomenological approach allowed the i nvestigators to examine the shared experiences of women with brain inj uries as they sought rehabilitative supports and services, and attempt ed to re-enter their lives and communities. Each woman was interviewed one or two times, the interviews were transcribed and then coded and analysed by both authors separately. Thematic analysis of the data rev ealed two major emergent themes: issues surrounding diagnosis and barr iers to accessing care. A total of 10 women interviewed experienced di fficulty obtaining a diagnosis of brain injury and experienced serious personal and professional consequences as a result. All the women exp erienced barriers to accessing care, including problems with service p roviders and service systems, financial challenges, travelling for ser vices, lack of information or services in their area, lack of care coo rdination and funnelling. Some of the barriers cannot be changed secon dary to cost, efficiency and logistics. Other barriers, could be chang ed through education, training and policy making.