“Desperate to force myself to fit into an unchanging environment:” The lived experiences of people with physical disabilities in accessing healthcare services in South Korea

Abstract Background People with physical disabilities often face significant barriers to healthcare service access that may lead to poorer general health than patients without disabilities. This study aimed to understand and describe in depth the experiences of healthcare service access among people with physical disabilities. Methods This descriptive qualitative study used thematic analysis to analyze data collected through interviews conducted with 11 people with disabilities, either from birth or acquired later in life, over 19 years old and who received, following their diagnosis, outpatient treatment for a minimum of five years at medical facilities across South Korea. The sample was recruited using purposive and snowball sampling, and data saturation was reached with 11 participants. Results The following three themes were identified, as follows: “Facing environmental barriers,” which comprised the four subthemes of “difficulties accessing healthcare services,” “accessible restrooms are useless,” “inaccessible health checkup systems,” and “insufficient rehabilitation opportunities;” “Care unreflective of needs,” consisting of the three subthemes named “disability leading to violations of human rights,” “skepticism about disability-focused care,” and “the desire for health improvements is ignored;” “Accepting limitations and finding ways to cope,” including the three subthemes of “know-how acquired through patience and self-learning,” “letting go of expectations and giving up on treatment,” and “desire for personalized services for people with disabilities.” Conclusions Environmental barriers significantly hinder the healthcare service access of individuals with physical disabilities, highlighting the need for fundamental changes to address these issues. To achieve equitable healthcare, people with disabilities must have equal access to healthcare services and be free from discrimination. Their active involvement in healthcare service access-related decision-making is crucial, and healthcare professionals must actively endeavor to address their needs. The government is highly suggested to conduct an overhaul of the healthcare system to ensure that it delivers comprehensive, community-integrated rehabilitation services for people with disabilities.