Abstract
background: The purpose of this study was to understand the barriers and facilitators encountered by health care practitioners in providing prenatal care to women with physical disabilities, and address notable gaps in the literature on this topic. data: We conducted semi-structured telephone interviews with 14 US clinicians who provide obstetrical care to women with physical disabilities. Clinicians were identified by their affiliation with specific disability-related organizations, their publications, or using snowball-sampling techniques, and were then invited to participate. Content analysis techniques were used to identify broad categories and emerging themes from which codes were then developed and revised. results: Four themes related to the barriers and facilitators in providing prenatal care emerged: (1) system-level barriers, including the reimbursement system, lack of time, shortage of practitioners with experience and willingness to provide care to women with disabilities; (2) lack of information relating to how specific disabling conditions might affect pregnancy and the need for guidelines and practice recommendations for providing prenatal care; (3) need for practitioner education and training including clinical and attitudinal training; and (4) lack of accessible offices and equipment. conclusion: This study sheds light on the experience of clinicians providing prenatal care to women with physical disabilities. The study findings highlight the need for practice recommendations for perinatal care to women with physical disabilities.