Document Type
Oral Presentation
Department
Exercise, Health, and Sport Sciences
Faculty Mentor
Dr. Meredith Madden
Keywords
lower body injury, rehabilitation, inequities, marginalized communities
Abstract
Since 2016, Maine’s population has grown as a result of migration and a welcoming of refugees. Changes in state demographics influence the population’s and individuals’ social determinants of health (SDOH) (ie., “where people live, learn, work, and play”) and health literacy (ie., a person’s ability to find, understand, and use information to inform health-related decisions). This project aims to identify the health inequities or disparities throughout Southern Maine in the care of injuries to the lower extremity, such as the knee or ankle, as well as explore factors that influence the healthcare outcomes of athletes in surrounding communities. This study aims to understand the state of care provided from the perception of participants to improve the quality and patient-centeredness of healthcare providers in a state whose residents are becoming more culturally and socioeconomically diverse. This project uses a comprehensive review of the literature, the lived experiences of the primary investigator (PI) and those shared by participants, including those from marginalized communities. Individuals in these communities may identify with factors such as racial bias, gender inequality, and prejudice due to sexual identification and orientation. This project focuses on the connection between patient outcomes in these communities and variations in areas, such as the ability to return to sport and overall physical function, patients’ perceived quality of life, and impact on SDOH domains. This study specifically explores factors such as financial security, education access, and health literacy. This study will survey recreational and collegiate athletes from local colleges and clinics who have recently experienced a lower extremity injury. This quantitative study includes a cross-sectional survey with both close and open-ended questions (31 previously validated and novel binary, Likert, and open-ended questions) used to collect and interpret all data. The survey was administered via Qualtrics online platform. The survey was piloted with two participants and two expert content reviewers prior to distribution. Demographic data (eg., age, race, gender, type of sport played) will be analyzed with descriptive statistics and appropriate nonparametric statistics using SPSS. A grounded theory approach will be used by the researchers to analyze qualitative data and an independent coder will review the data for internal validity.
Included in
Body Regions Commons, Epidemiology Commons, Health Services Administration Commons, Health Services Research Commons, Kinesiotherapy Commons, Musculoskeletal System Commons, Other Public Health Commons, Other Rehabilitation and Therapy Commons, Sports Sciences Commons, Tissues Commons
Inequities in the Rehabilitation Process of Musculoskeletal Injuries in Maine
Since 2016, Maine’s population has grown as a result of migration and a welcoming of refugees. Changes in state demographics influence the population’s and individuals’ social determinants of health (SDOH) (ie., “where people live, learn, work, and play”) and health literacy (ie., a person’s ability to find, understand, and use information to inform health-related decisions). This project aims to identify the health inequities or disparities throughout Southern Maine in the care of injuries to the lower extremity, such as the knee or ankle, as well as explore factors that influence the healthcare outcomes of athletes in surrounding communities. This study aims to understand the state of care provided from the perception of participants to improve the quality and patient-centeredness of healthcare providers in a state whose residents are becoming more culturally and socioeconomically diverse. This project uses a comprehensive review of the literature, the lived experiences of the primary investigator (PI) and those shared by participants, including those from marginalized communities. Individuals in these communities may identify with factors such as racial bias, gender inequality, and prejudice due to sexual identification and orientation. This project focuses on the connection between patient outcomes in these communities and variations in areas, such as the ability to return to sport and overall physical function, patients’ perceived quality of life, and impact on SDOH domains. This study specifically explores factors such as financial security, education access, and health literacy. This study will survey recreational and collegiate athletes from local colleges and clinics who have recently experienced a lower extremity injury. This quantitative study includes a cross-sectional survey with both close and open-ended questions (31 previously validated and novel binary, Likert, and open-ended questions) used to collect and interpret all data. The survey was administered via Qualtrics online platform. The survey was piloted with two participants and two expert content reviewers prior to distribution. Demographic data (eg., age, race, gender, type of sport played) will be analyzed with descriptive statistics and appropriate nonparametric statistics using SPSS. A grounded theory approach will be used by the researchers to analyze qualitative data and an independent coder will review the data for internal validity.
