Three Things Clinicians Should Know About Disability
AMA Journal of Ethics 20(12): E1182-1188. DOI: 10.1001/amajethics.2018.1182
7 Pages Posted: 17 Jan 2019
Date Written: December 1, 2018
Abstract
The historical relationship between health care professionals and people with disabilities is fraught, a fact all the more troubling in light of the distinctive roles clinicians play in both establishing and responding to that which is considered normal or abnormal by society at large. Those who wish to improve their clinical practice might struggle, however, to keep up with developments across numerous disability communities as well as the ever-growing body of disability studies scholarship. To assist with this goal, I offer an overview of recent disability theory, outline a set of responsibilities clinicians have to disability communities, and provide recommendations for clinicians who hope to justly treat patients with disabilities and improve their care and health outcomes.
Note: Copyright 2018 American Medical Association. All rights reserved. Three Things Clinicians Should Know About Disability, AMA Journal of Ethics, Vol. 20, No. 12, E1181-118, December 2018. Available at: https://amajournalofethics.org.
Uses, such as the creation of derivative works, are prohibited, unless prior written approval by the AMA (joe@ama-assn.org) is obtained, which may be withheld by the AMA in its sole discretion.
Keywords: Disability, Patient-Provider Communication, Patient-Centered Care, Ableism, Social Epistemology
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