Structural Barriers to Primary Care Access and Their Implications for Health-Related Quality of Life

Jun 1, 2026, 00:00
10.1016/j.jval.2026.01.030
https://www.valueinhealthjournal.com/article/S1098-3015(26)00109-9/fulltext
Title : Structural Barriers to Primary Care Access and Their Implications for Health-Related Quality of Life
Citation : https://www.valueinhealthjournal.com/action/showCitFormats?pii=S1098-3015(26)00109-9&doi=10.1016/j.jval.2026.01.030
First page : 1136
Section Title : LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Open access? : No
Section Order : 1136

We read with great interest the article by Wilding and colleagues examining the association between constrained access to primary care and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among full-time employees in England. Using a large population-based dataset and a robust instrumental variable approach, the authors demonstrate that work-related barriers to attending primary care appointments are associated with clinically meaningful reductions in EQ-5D-5L utility scores, particularly in physical health domains such as pain/discomfort and mobility. The larger effect observed among individuals with long-term conditions further highlights the equity implications of constrained access.

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