Providing test samples or undergoing examinations can be extremely difficult for individuals with limb deficiencies. It could, for example, have to do with measuring blood pressure or providing a blood sample, where the process is made more difficult by limb deficiencies or deformities. It could also be difficult for the patient from a purely physical standpoint to get on and off a bunk, bench or examination table. Getting dressed or undressed, or providing test samples, for example a urine sample, could be difficult if the assistance or aids normally used by the patient are not available.
Screening tests
A number of screening tests are provided in Sweden. Screening involves the testing of a large number of people with the aim of finding precursors of a disease or detecting a disease before it has begun to exhibit symptoms. The discovery of (for example) certain forms of cancer at an early stage increases the chances of being able to commence the right treatment in time. One example of a screening test is mammography, which is used to screen women for breast cancer. Given that individuals with short or no arms may find it difficult to examine their breasts themselves, it is extremely important that they take part in these screening tests. A helpful tip could be to book a wheelchair appointment in connection with the mammography examination. The amount of time allocated to a wheelchair appointment is longer than for a standard appointment, and more help is available if required.
Another examination which many members of the target group perceive to be difficult is a gynaecological screening test (i.e. cervical smear), as this test is performed while the patient is lying in a gynaecological examination chair. As an alternative, the test can be performed at home by the patient with the help of a cotton bud that is then submitted for analysis.