A new study published in the Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation examined how often mobility limitations are reported in physicians’ notes.
The objective of the study, published in late January, was “to determine how often physicians document mobility limitations in visits with older adults, and which patient, physician, and practice characteristics associate with documented mobility limitations.” Researchers analyzed National Ambulatory Medical Care Surveys from 2012 through 2016.
The study focused on adults 65 years and older, and the final sample size “represented 1.3 billion weighted visits.”
The research showed mobility limitations were documented 2.4 percent of time. Physicians were more likely to note mobility limitations in patients older than 85, as well as for patients with arthritis or cerebrovascular disease.
