BARRIERS TO DISABILITY PROGRAMS IN ELDERS WITH CHRONIC DISEASE. Almas Dossa* Brandeis University, Brookline, MA PURPOSE: The purpose of this pilot qualitative study was: 1) to explore provider attitudes, skills, and knowledge regarding self-management programs for elders with chronic disease. 2) to explore the following systems issues regarding these programs: a) coordination and administrative barriers to development and implementation of self-management programs, b) barriers to linkages between medical and community organizations for development and implementation of self-management programs. BACKGROUNDS/SIGNIFICANCE: Health and social care services required by elders with disability is a growing economic burden and a major societal concern for the U.S. due to the increasing number of elders. Since significant association exists between chronic disease and disability in elders with chronic disease, strategies to effectively manage chronic illness and prevent physical disability are essential to reduce long-term care costs and improve quality of life for elders. Disability prevention programs such as chronic disease self-management programs are effective in improving function and preventing disability, but few of these programs exist in medical and community settings. SUBJECTS: Subjects included four health care providers involved with self-management programs. Two subjects were nurses, one was a geriatrician, and one was the physician-director of a self-management program. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Structured interviews with open-ended questions were used to explore provider issues and systems issues. The interviews were audiotaped ANALYSES: Following each interview, a line by line coding technique was used. RESULTS: The following themes were identified: Client and provider awareness of programs; acute care culture versus chronic care focus for elders; client compliance issues; financing and reimbursement issues; coordination and communication problems in health care settings; optimal providers for self-management programs; optimal organizations; medical and community linkage options and issues; and skills and knowledge needed. Research hypotheses from themes were developed. CONCLUSIONS: Specific barriers to these programs exist, which are described in the above themes. It appears essential to obtain provider perspectives on disability prevention programs in order to get more information on barriers to these programs. This information can assist in improving access and dissemination of these programs for elders with chronic disease. FUNDING SOURCE: Heller School for Social Policy and Management, Brandeis University (Grant given during school year) Foundation for Physical Therapy (PODS I Grant) KEYWORDS: Disability Prevention, Elders, Barriers Copyright 2009 by the American Physical Therapy Association. Requests for reprints should be directed to the corresponding author of the article. Educators, students, and other academic customers may receive permission to reprint copyrighted material from Physical Therapy (ISSN 1538-6724) by contacting the Copyright Clearance Center Inc, 222 Rosewood Dr, Danvers, MA 01923. Other types of customers who want permission to reprint should contact the APTA Editorial Office, Attn: Physical Therapy.