Volume 66 Number 3  May 1999	back to contents

Primary Care for People with Disabilities	188 - 191
David C. Thomas, M.D.
Instructor, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine/Department of Medicine, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY. Address correspondence to David C. Thomas, M.D., Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Box 1240B, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, One East 100th Street, New York, NY 10029 or address e-mail to: msjourn@doc.mssm.edu

ABSTRACT
People with disabilities are a unique population.  Although there have been great advances in their care, access to reliable and consistent primary health care remains a difficult issue for many of these patients after discharge from medical rehabilitation units.  Many of these health care needs are not unique to this patient population, but become compounded or exacerbated in people with disabilities. The effects of physical impairments on these patients' health need to be recognized.  Specific attention must be paid to prevent the occurrence of secondary disabilities, which can drastically affect their independence.  Ultimately, proper attention to the health care needs of people with disabilities will result in greater independence and improved health among this population.

KEY WORDS
Primary care, disability, preventive health, health maintenance

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