Healthcare access for individuals with permanent physical, auditory, or visual impairments capable of independent healthcare decision-making in Saudi Arabia: a scoping review

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PURPOSE: Individuals with disabilities face significant barriers to healthcare. Despite Vision 2030 goals, research regarding accessibility for those with physical, visual, or hearing impairments remains limited. This scoping review examines healthcare access for individuals with permanent impairments who can make independent healthcare decisions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic search was conducted across PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and PsycInfo from their inception until December 2024, identifying 16 observational studies that met inclusion criteria: English-language, Saudi-based studies reporting healthcare access for individuals with physical, visual, or auditory impairments. Exclusion criteria included reviews, qualitative, experimental designs, or inclusion of multiple disabilities without stratification in the analysis. RESULTS: Most were cross-sectional and focused on physical (31.3%), visual (31.3%), and hearing (37.5%) impairments. Primary-care barriers included structural barriers, limited personnel training, and non-inclusive programs. Secondary care barriers centered on referral gaps, limited personnel experience, higher costs, and lack of centered care. Tertiary-care barriers included long waits, poor care coordination, dissatisfaction with prostheses, and absence of specialized services in the Eastern Province. CONCLUSIONS: To enhance healthcare equity, national accessibility standards, mandatory provider training, specialized communication systems, expanded telehealth, and regular accessibility audits are recommended. Future research should explore interventions and use longitudinal designs.

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