Unmet needs for community-based physiotherapy services for adults in Canada and the United States: a scoping review protocol

Abstract

Healthcare is available through various systems and access points. However, differences in economic status can create disparities in access to healthcare services [1]. It is not the responsibility of a sole proprietor, but rather all countries, to raise more funds, or diversify funding sources, to relieve the burden of unmet needs in healthcare [2]. However, it is the government’s duty to ensure that all public and private healthcare providers operate efficiently to fulfil patient needs [2]. Schneider et al. compared 11 high-income countries on 72 indicators of performance in five domains of healthcare: process, access, administrative efficiency, equity, and outcomes [3]. The United States (US) was ranked last, receiving particularly poor scores in access and affordability. Canada’s results were also substandard, ranking ninth overall, with its worst score in the access domain [3]. Furthermore, the US and Canada were identified as having large disparities in access between lowand high-incomes, particularly due to financial barriers [3]. In this context, patients may choose to forgo treatments or tests, due to associated costs [3].