Understanding disabled people’s experiences of local healthcare services in the 3DHB region - Wellington, Hutt Valley and Wairarapa Survey

Thank you for your interest in taking part in this survey. It is important you read this information so you can decide whether you want to participate in our survey.

What is this survey about?
Imagine Better and Disability Responsiveness New Zealand are working with the 3 District Health Boards of Wellington, Wairarapa and Hutt Valley (3DHB) to do a project on disabled people’s experiences of accessing local healthcare services within the 3DHB region.

We hope that this survey can collect information that will improve the health outcomes of disabled people in the 3DHB area. We want to hear about people’s experiences of healthcare in:

Homes - how you experience healthcare that happens in your home, for example, using email/phone/video for appointments, finding out health information online, and having home visits by healthcare professionals.
Communities - how you experience using healthcare in your community, for example, going to the GP, dentist, pharmacist, midwife, mental health services, sexual health clinics.
Hospitals - how you experience using specialist care, for example, going to the hospital and seeing a doctor who is not your GP. We particularly are interested in hearing about people’s experiences of ophthalmology, respiratory services, and radiology.

Who is doing the project?
Imagine Better and Disability Responsiveness New Zealand are organisations made up of disabled people, family members and staff from around the country. Their work focuses on the rights of disabled people and their families.

Dr Carey-Ann Morrison, Senior Researcher for Imagine Better and Pam MacNeil, Managing Director for Disability Responsiveness New Zealand, are running the project. Carey-Ann is experienced working with disabled people, their families, professionals working in the sector, and carrying out research and evaluations. She is a mum to a young disabled son. Pam is totally blind and has almost 30 years’ experience working in a range of roles in the disability sector, including doing research and training.

Will my information be confidential?
The information you provide in this survey is anonymous. We do not collect anyone’s names or any other information that might be able to identify someone. All the information from different people will be mixed up so that no one will be able to tell who said what. This is to make it safe for people to say whatever they want.

What will happen with the information?
Once everyone has had a chance to share their experience, a report will be written up and shared with the 3DHB.

Healthcare at home

Question Title

* 1. Do you use any of these services? (select as many as appropriate)

Appointments over the phone – talking

Appointments over the internet – video call

Called Healthline for advice

Looked online for health information

Had appointments reminders and/or results text to me

Had information and/or results emailed to me

Used an online patient portal like ‘Manage my health’

Social media e.g. Facebook

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 2. What did you use these services for? (select as many as appropriate)

Healthcare related specifically to your impairment

Healthcare about your general health

Mental health support over the phone/internet

Medication prescribed over the phone/internet

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 3. What did you like about using these services? (select as many as appropriate)

It was easier to attend a healthcare appointment because I didn’t need to travel

It was easier because I usually face access barriers when I need to attend a healthcare appointment in person e.g can’t get in to the building

I got to see someone quicker/got the results faster

It was easier because my impairment means I find it painful/tiring to leave my house

It gave me more options and the ability to choose my healthcare providers

It was cheaper than face-to-face

It meant I could do it at a time that suited me

Do you have any other comments?

Question Title

* 4. Has anything stopped you from using these services? (Select as many as appropriate)

I don’t have a device to use

I don’t know how to use it

I prefer meeting in person

It wasn’t offered as an option

My home isn’t always a private space

The technology/format was inaccessible, and I couldn’t use it

Do you have any other comments?

Question Title

* 5. What types of health professionals have visited you at home? (Select as many as appropriate)

District Health Nurses

Ambulance

Physiotherapy

Occupational Therapy

Midwife

Social worker

Speech language therapy

Child Development services

Other, please specify

Question Title

* 6. Have any of these things ever happened to you when a health professional visited you in your home? (Select as many as appropriate)

Had health professional talk to your support person rather than directly to you

Had to teach a health professional about your impairment

Asked invasive questions about your impairment not related to the reason for your visit

A healthcare professional used hurtful or insulting language when speaking about your impairment

Overlooked your health concerns because they focused on your impairment

Your knowledge about your own health and healthcare needs were disregarded

Your preferences and choices about your healthcare were ignored

Assumptions were made that you do not have the same healthcare needs as non-disabled people

Do you have any other comments?

Question Title

* 7. How often do you use healthcare at home?

Daily

Every couple of days

Weekly

Every couple of weeks

Monthly

Less than once in 6 months