Table 3. . Unmet healthcare needs and healthcare utilization among autistic adults who receive care through a patient-centered medical home.
| Patient self-report (n = 47) | Caregiver report (n = 66) | |
|---|---|---|
| Unmet healthcare needs, n (%) | ||
| During the past 12 months, there was a time when I felt that I needed the following type of healthcare, but did not receive it. | During the past 12 months, there was a time when I felt that the patient for whom I provide care needed the following type of healthcare, but did not receive it | |
| – Medical care for a physical health problem | 4 (8.5)‡ | 7 (10.6) |
| – Mental healthcare or counseling | 10 (21.3) | 11 (16.7) |
| – Preventive healthcare (including routine physical examinations) | 5 (10.6)† | 8 (12.1) |
| – Dental care (including dental checkups) | 7 (14.9)‡ | 6 (9.1) |
| – Prescription medications | 5 (10.6) | 3 (4.5) |
| – Eyeglasses or contact lenses | 5 (10.6) | 6 (9.1) |
| Patient healthcare utilization, n (%) | ||
| – Blood pressure checked in past year | 45 (95.7) | 64 (97.0) |
| – Four or more outpatient visits in past year | 12 (25.5) | 16 (24.2) |
| – Hospitalized in past year | 4 (8.5) | 4 (6.1) |
| – Emergency department visit in past year | 12 (25.5) | 17 (25.8) |
| – Pap test in past 3 years (females only) | 6 (54.5) | 2 (18.2) |
| – Tetanus vaccine in past 10 years | 33 (77.3) | 47 (71.2) |
†
Autistic adults in our sample were significantly less likely (p < 0.05) to report having this unmet need compared with a national sample of 209 autistic adults [7].
‡
Autistic adults in our sample were significantly less likely (p < 0.01) to report having this unmet need compared with a national sample of 209 autistic adults [7].