A Massachusetts General Hospital physician has written an article in the October issue of Health Affairs to bring greater attention to healthcare disparities facing people with disabilities.
In her article, Lisa Iezzoni, MD, director of the Mongan Institute for Health Policy at Massachusetts General Hospital, highlights barriers that continue to restrict access to health services for those with disabilities. Dr. Iezzoni found problems accessing healthcare facilities — including physician offices and hospital buildings — were often reported; and equipment such as examining tables, mammography machines or infusion chairs were frequently inaccessible.
Dr. Iezzoni cites one major academic health center that did not have a wheelchair-accessible scale, requiring a breast cancer patient with paraplegia to be carried onto a standard scale by her oncologist since the patient's weight is essential to calculating chemotherapy dosage.
"Healthcare professionals need to understand that people with disabilities have lives outside of their health care needs — lives in which they may be very active and accomplished," Dr. Iezzoni said. "The healthcare system needs to work on making the accommodations required for effective communication and on giving all patients appropriate physical access."
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In her article, Lisa Iezzoni, MD, director of the Mongan Institute for Health Policy at Massachusetts General Hospital, highlights barriers that continue to restrict access to health services for those with disabilities. Dr. Iezzoni found problems accessing healthcare facilities — including physician offices and hospital buildings — were often reported; and equipment such as examining tables, mammography machines or infusion chairs were frequently inaccessible.
Dr. Iezzoni cites one major academic health center that did not have a wheelchair-accessible scale, requiring a breast cancer patient with paraplegia to be carried onto a standard scale by her oncologist since the patient's weight is essential to calculating chemotherapy dosage.
"Healthcare professionals need to understand that people with disabilities have lives outside of their health care needs — lives in which they may be very active and accomplished," Dr. Iezzoni said. "The healthcare system needs to work on making the accommodations required for effective communication and on giving all patients appropriate physical access."
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