Respond in 2 paragraphs with 2 apa 7th edition references
1.Name 5 different types of disabilities.
Disability results from the interaction between health conditions such as dementia, blindness or spinal cord injury and a range of environmental and personal factors (World Health Organization: WHO, 2023). The different types of disabilities include:
Physical and sensory disability e.g. visual impairment such as glaucoma; mobility impairments such as paralysis
Cognitive and neurodevelopmental disability e.g. learning disabilities such as dyslexia; autism spectrum disorder
Psychiatric disability e.g. schizophrenia, bipolar disorder
Developmental disability e.g. Down syndrome, cerebral palsy
Acquired disability e.g. amputation, spinal cord injuries
2. What is expected of healthcare providers who treat individuals with disabilities?
Healthcare providers who treat individuals with disability are expected to provide accessible and compassionate care that meets the diverse needs of the patient. Healthcare facilities should be physically accessible to individuals with disabilities such as wheelchair ramps, elevators, signage used by individuals who are blind, reacahable light switches, mobility assistance devices such as wheelchair and accessible restrooms ( Disability right California, 2021). Reasonable modifications to practices, communications and procedures where necessary should be made available to these individuals and these include use of sign language interpreters during procedure or care, large print materials, alternative formats for written information and provision of assistive technologies such as hearing aids can be helpful (Disability Right California, 2021). Healthcare providers should create a welcoming, inclusive and non-judgmental environment so that individuals with disabilities can feel comfortable seeking care. Finally, individuals with disabilities have multiple health concerns therefore it is the responsibility of the healthcare provider to understand these concerns and offer holistic care that addresses all aspects of the patient’s health needs and well-being.
3.What is the most important thing medical providers should do to treat individuals who have disabilities? Give two examples
People with disabilities face many challenges to good health and it is important that medical providers be aware of these challenges and create ways to address them. Provision of clear and accessible communication is very important. Communication is essential in every aspect of our life. Medical providers should ensure that communication is clear and direct with the patient, for example when a patient with sensory disability such as hearing impairment does not understand an instruction or question it is important to repeat or use other words or means to provide the information. Provision of sign language interpreters, using written communication or providing assistive listening devices can also be helpful to make communication easy for these individuals. Additionally, involving patients in decision making is important. Patient engagement has become a cornerstone of quality of care (Bombard et al., 2018). Allowing patients to make informed decisions about their health empowers them and reinforces their autonomy. For example, the health care provider could spend more time explaining treatment options in simple, understandable terms for a person with a cognitive and developmental disability. The health care provider can even use visual aids to make it easier for these patients to understand. This approach will empower the patient to participate in their care and make informed decisions.
4. What can individuals with disabilities do to help their healthcare providers in providing their care. Give 2 examples
Individuals with disabilities have a pivotal role to play in their healthcare. When disabled individual access healthcare they are likely to encounter obstacles and barriers including attitudes and actions that will impact the quality of health services they receive. Therefore, it is important that they are open and proactive in communicating their preferences and concerns. To achieve this, communication of preference for care and support is important. Communicating their preferences will help healthcare providers tailor care approach to match with the patient’s needs, thereby ensuring that adequate and right services is provided for e.g. a person with cognitive disability might inform the provider they need more time to process information or request the presence of a care provider to assist in the decision-making process. Provision of clear information about the individual’s disability is another way to support the health care providers. Through sharing information about their conditions upfront can help provider make necessary arrangements to accommodate the health needs thus enhancing the quality of care and preventing misunderstanding or complication. For example, a person with a learning disability e.g. dyslexia might inform their health provider about that specific need related to method of communication during medical assessments or procedures. For instance, they may need audio formats or videos to explain about procedures and treatments instead of reading written instructions. Also, since reading and writing can be challenging for them, the healthcare provider can offer to assist with filling out intake forms or any paperwork required during the visit, and this involves reading the forms aloud and helping the individual understand and complete them (Wells, 2017).
Reference
Disability Right California: DRC. (2021).Access to Health Care for People with Disabilities under the ADA and other Civil Rights Laws | Disability Rights California.https://www.disabilityrightsca.org/publications/access-to-health-care-for-people-with-disabilities-under-the-ada-and-other-civil#footnote15_sct4s3h
Bombard, Y., Baker, G. R., Orlando, E., Fancott, C., Bhatia, P., Casalino, S., Onate, K., Denis, J., & Pomey, M. (2018). Engaging patients to improve quality of care: a systematic review. Implementation Science, 13(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13012-018-0784-z
Wells, D. (2017). Dyslexia in adults. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/dyslexia-in-adults
World Health Organization: WHO. (2023). Disability. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/disability-and-health