Access to care among patients with osteogenesis imperfecta during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Summary

In a cross-sectional study assessing the experiences of individuals with osteogenesis imperfecta accessing care during the COVID-19 pandemic, participants reported high rates of delays in accessing medical care and high utilization of telehealth. Considering the needs of individuals with complex medical conditions is important when improving access to care.

Purpose

Individuals with osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) often have complex care needs requiring that they see a variety of specialists. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020 led to delays in medical care for many health conditions. The goal of this study was to describe the experiences of individuals with OI accessing medical care during this time.

Methods

Responses to an electronic survey distributed via the OI Foundation mailing list were collected from August 2020 until February 2021. Participants were instructed to compare their experiences in the months since the start of the pandemic with their experiences prior to this date. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and were compared across demographic groups using logistic regression and chi-squared tests.

Results

Surveys were completed by 110 participants. Most participants (72%) reported experiencing delays in accessing at least one care provider. The majority of participants reported less or similar amounts of bone pain (74.3%) and less or the same rate of fracture (88.6%) as before the start of the pandemic.

Conclusion

While most study participants experienced delays in care, they did not report an increase in symptoms associated with OI. They also frequently utilized telehealth as a tool to see their providers. Future research should focus on the impact of changes in telehealth legislation on patients’ ability to access care. As methods for care delivery evolve, the needs of people with OI and other rare diseases should be considered and prioritized.