Accommodating Patients With Disabilities.
The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in everyday activities including medical care. The ADA covers both public and private hospitals, medical offices, and clinics and patients and requires them to accomodate and provide equal care to any and all patients with a disability. As future physicians, it is important to familiarize ourselves with the proper etiquette and accommodations we will need to provide to our patients with disabilities.
- 1.
Please briefly answer the following questions: -At this point in your education, do you feel you would be able to treat a patient with disabilities in an equal and courteous manner? -What do you believe is lacking in your knowledge of disability etiquette and accommodation and are you interested in learning more about it? -Do you feel the average medical student/physician knows enough about accommodating patients with disabilities or do you believe this should be emphasized more in medical school curriculum?
- 2.
A 47 year old woman who uses a wheelchair comes into your clinic for a routine physical exam. It is difficult for her to get onto the physical exam table independently. What is the best way to examine this patient?
- A.
Examine her while in the wheelchair.
- B.
Lower the exam table to the level of the wheelchair and help her onto it.
- C.
Place a mat on the floor and have her lay on it.
- D.
Suggest the patient go to another, more accesible clinic.
Correct Answer
B. Lower the exam table to the level of the wheelchair and help her onto it.Explanation
Examining a patient in their wheelchair usually is less thorough than on the exam table, and does not provide the patient equal medical services. There are several ways to make the exam table accessible to a person using a wheelchair. A good option is to have a table that adjusts down to the level of a wheelchair, approximately 17-19 inches from the floor or use transferring equipment such as a floor lift. What is important is that a person with a disability receives equal medical services to those received by a person without a disability. If the examination does not require that a person lie down (for example, an examination of the face), then the exam table is not important to the medical care and the patient may remain seated.Rate this question:
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- 3.
It is okay to tell a patient you cannot treat him/her because you do not have accessible medical equipment.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
B. FalseExplanation
Per the American with Disabilities Act of 1990, you cannot deny service to a patient whom you would otherwise serve because she has a disability. You must examine the patient as you would any patient. In order to do so, you may need to provide an accessible exam table, an accessible stretcher or gurney, or a patient lift, or have enough trained staff available who can assist the patient to transfer.Rate this question:
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- 4.
While interviewing a patient with a speech disability, he asks you a question, but you are having trouble hearing him. You ask him to repeat himself, but still do not understand. What is the best course of action?
- A.
Say, "I'm not sure," and move on.
- B.
Begin the physical exam.
- C.
Apologize for not hearing and ask them to repeat the question until you understand it.
- D.
Pretend you got paged and leave the room.
Correct Answer
C. Apologize for not hearing and ask them to repeat the question until you understand it.Explanation
The patient most likely knows they have a speech impairment and understands it may be difficult to hear them. It is very important you understand the patient completely to avoid receiving or giving false or misheard information.Rate this question:
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- 5.
It is okay to ask a patient with a disability to bring someone to help them with the exam.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
B. FalseExplanation
If a patient chooses to bring along a friend or family member to the appointment, they may. However, a patient with a disability, just like other individuals, may come to an appointment alone, and the provider must provide reasonable assistance to enable the individual to receive the medical care. This assistance may include helping the patient to undress and dress, get on and off the exam table or other equipment, and lie back and be positioned on the examination table or other equipment. Once on the exam table, some patients may need a staff person to stay with them to help maintain balance and positioning. The provider should ask the patient if he or she needs any assistance and, if so, what is the best way to help.Rate this question:
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- 6.
At hospital, you are interviewing a person who is deaf via a sign language interpreter. During the interview, you should:
- A.
Speak directly to the interpreter.
- B.
Speak directly to the patient.
- C.
Skip the interview and go straight to the physical exam.
- D.
Suggest the patient transfer to a more accessible hospital.
Correct Answer
B. Speak directly to the patient.Explanation
You should always speak directly to and maintain eye contact with the patient. They are the one who is there to see you, not the interpreter, friend or personal care assistant.Rate this question:
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- 7.
You are discussing a case with your colleague and are trying to describe the patient, who happens to have a relevant disability. Which of the following is the best way to present the patient:
- A.
A 13 year old boy with Down's syndrome.
- B.
A mentally retarded 13 year old male.
- C.
A developmentally delayed 13 year old boy.
- D.
A teenage boy who is retarded.
Correct Answer
A. A 13 year old boy with Down's syndrome.Explanation
People-first language has made huge strides since it started in 1988 and helps keep the patient as a person and not a disease or disability. Per wikipedia, "the basic idea is to impose a sentence structure that names the person first and the condition second, for example "people with disabilities" rather than 'disabled people', in order to emphasize that 'they are people first' [and not defined by their disability]".
Additionally, although mentally retarded is an accepted medical term, it has become a very derogatory and offensive term societally. Thus, it is preferred to use developmentally delayed or to use the actual name of the disability.Rate this question:
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- 8.
I need to treat a patient with a disability even if it takes me longer to examine them and insurance will not reimburse me for the additional time?
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
A. TrueExplanation
Explanation: As a physician, you will encounter several situations and patients who will take longer to examine than your typical patient. Refusing to treat a patient with a disability because it will take you and your staff more time is both discriminatory and illegal.Rate this question:
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- 9.
On a scale of 1-7, 1 being strongly agree and 7 being strongly disagree, please respond to the following questions: I am knowledgeable about the right of patients with disabilities.
- A.
1
- B.
2
- C.
3
- D.
4
- E.
5
- F.
6
- G.
7
Explanation
This question asks respondents to rate their level of knowledge about the rights of patients with disabilities on a scale of 1 to 7, with 1 indicating strong agreement and 7 indicating strong disagreement. The correct answer would be a low number, such as 1 or 2, indicating that the respondent strongly agrees that they are knowledgeable about the rights of patients with disabilities.Rate this question:
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- 10.
I am knowledgeable about the needs of patients with disabilities.
- A.
1
- B.
2
- C.
3
- D.
4
- E.
5
- F.
6
- G.
7
Explanation
This statement implies that the person has a good understanding of the specific needs and requirements of patients with disabilities. They likely have experience or knowledge in providing appropriate care, accommodations, and support for individuals with disabilities. This expertise can be valuable in various healthcare settings or when working with disabled patients to ensure their needs are met effectively.Rate this question:
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- 11.
I am knowledgeable about the treatment and care of patients with disabilities and special needs.
- A.
1
- B.
2
- C.
3
- D.
4
- E.
5
- F.
6
- G.
7
Explanation
This statement suggests that the person is well-informed and experienced in providing treatment and care for individuals with disabilities and special needs. They possess knowledge and expertise in addressing the unique challenges and requirements of these patients, indicating that they are likely qualified to provide appropriate care and support in a healthcare or caregiving setting.Rate this question:
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- 12.
I have personal experience with the treatment and care of patients with disabilities.
- A.
1
- B.
2
- C.
3
- D.
4
- E.
5
- F.
6
- G.
7
Explanation
The given statement suggests that the person has firsthand experience in providing treatment and care to individuals with disabilities. This experience could include working in a healthcare or rehabilitation setting, volunteering with disabled individuals, or having personal connections with disabled family members or friends. This experience would likely give the person a deeper understanding of the challenges and needs of individuals with disabilities, making them a valuable resource in providing appropriate care and support.Rate this question:
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- 13.
How is a disability different than a disease?
- A.
There not, both can be treated the same way.
- B.
A disability is neither a illness nor an inability.
- C.
Disabilities are always obvious and visible whereas disease can be hidden or insidious.
- D.
You can lead a normal life with disease, but you are consistently held back by disability.
Correct Answer
B. A disability is neither a illness nor an inability.Explanation
Most persons with disabilities are as healthy as people who don’t have disabilities; however, persons with disabilities are, however, at greater risk for illness. Most people with disabilities can and do work, play, learn and enjoy full healthy lives in their communities. One of the key challenges for a person with a disability is to be seen by the public, to be portrayed in the media, treated by health care professionals, as an individual with abilities, and not just seen as a disability.Rate this question:
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- 14.
About 1 in every 5 Americans has a disability.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
A. TrueExplanation
Many disabilities are not obvious to the general observer and can affect people in various ways. Per wikipedia, "A disability is an impairment that may be physical, cognitive, mental, sensory, emotional, developmental, or some combination of these. A disability may be present from birth, or occur during a person's lifetime."Rate this question:
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- 15.
Physicians with serious disabilities are unable to practice?
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
B. FalseExplanation
Physicians who are deaf, blind, in wheelchairs, have Cerebral Palsy, or affected by various other disabilities practice successfully.Rate this question:
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- 16.
There are legal implications to refusing to treat a patient with disabilities?
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
A. TrueExplanation
Through lawsuits and settlement agreements, the Department of Justice has achieved greater access for individuals with disabilities in hundreds of cases. Under general rules governing lawsuits brought by the Federal government, the Department of Justice may not sue a party unless negotiations to settle the dispute have failed.
The Department of Justice may file lawsuits in federal court to enforce the ADA, and courts may order compensatory damages and back pay to remedy discrimination if the Department prevails. Under title III, the Department of Justice may also obtain civil penalties of up to $55,000 for the first violation and $110,000 for any subsequent violation.Rate this question:
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- 17.
After having answered the previous questions, please reevaluate your knowledge of caring for patients with disabilities in the following questions. I am knowledgeable about the rights of patients with disabilities.
- A.
1
- B.
2
- C.
3
- D.
4
- E.
5
- F.
6
- G.
7
Explanation
This statement is asking the individual to evaluate their knowledge about the rights of patients with disabilities. The individual is being asked to rate their level of knowledge on a scale of 1 to 7, with 1 being the lowest and 7 being the highest. The correct answer would depend on the individual's own self-assessment of their knowledge on this topic.Rate this question:
-
- 18.
I am knowledgeable about the needs of patients with disabilities.
- A.
1
- B.
2
- C.
3
- D.
4
- E.
5
- F.
6
- G.
7
Explanation
This statement suggests that the person has a good understanding of the requirements and challenges faced by patients with disabilities. They are likely familiar with the specific needs and accommodations that may be necessary to provide appropriate care and support for these individuals.Rate this question:
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- 19.
I am knowledgeable about the treatment and care of patients with disabilities and special needs.
- A.
1
- B.
2
- C.
3
- D.
4
- E.
5
- F.
6
- G.
7
Explanation
The given statement suggests that the individual possesses expertise in providing treatment and care to patients with disabilities and special needs. This implies that the person has a deep understanding of the specific requirements and challenges faced by such patients, and is well-equipped to provide them with the necessary support and care.Rate this question:
-
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Current Version
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Mar 17, 2023Quiz Edited by
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Jan 31, 2013Quiz Created by
Gtarsh88
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