Community use of a hospital pool by people with disabilities

BackgroundIndividuals with disabling conditions are one of the most physically inactive groups within society. Hospital hydrotherapy pools are a potential resource for people with disability living in the community to access aquatic physical activity.ObjectivesThe aim of this qualitative study was to discover why community dwelling individuals with disability choose a hospital pool over other public pools in the area.MethodsThe study site was a hospital pool in New Zealand. Semi-structured interviews were held with 38 individuals from 17 community user groups to determine reasons for choosing the hospital pool. Interviews were audio-taped, transcribed and analyzed inductively for themes.ResultsThe hospital hydrotherapy pool was perceived to be an invaluable facility, providing opportunity for people with disability to be physically active in a way that is pain free, enjoyable and beneficial for mind and body. In contrast public pool facilities within the metropolitan region are experienced and/or perceived as being inaccessible for people with disabilities due to physical, social and emotional barriers.ConclusionsThis hospital pool provides a highly appreciated but oversubscribed resource for the people with disability in the local environs. If pools in the public domain were able to offer warmer water in a user-friendly environment, then this would promote health and well being to individuals with disabling conditions.