FIVE THOUSAND SENIOR citizens in West Texas were randomly chosen late last year to participate in a survey that addressed health care accessibility and quality for older people. Some of the results are troubling.
We were especially bothered by the perception of many of the Hispanic respondents 65 years old or older that their access to health care is limited or restricted.
It is disconcerting that one in five of all the senior respondents had not seen a doctor within the past year. People over 65 years old should be getting a physical examination at least once a year. If a problem such as cancer arises, early detection is vitally important for effective treatment.
Of the people who said they had not seen a doctor within the last year, a disproportionate number of them were Hispanic. Also, 44 percent of Hispanics said they believed they are unable to see a specialist when they need one.
Health care is available. But a perception that it is not can remove it from those who need it just as surely as if it really were unavailable.
It is incumbent upon the health care industry to get the word to potential patients especially older ones that care is available when they need it.
The Texas Tech 5000 survey, as it was called, was a worthy project. It was one of the largest surveys in the United States to address health care issues for senior citizens. A $1.8 million grant from the U.S. Administration on Aging funded it, and it was conducted by the Department of Health Services Research and Management at the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center.
Valuable information was gained that should provide important guidance to health care providers. The troubling perception among older Hispanics about health care must be corrected. Access to care must be unobstructed.
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