Western University Developing Program to Improve Health Care Delivery to People with Disabilities
Efforts to improve the delivery of health care services for individuals
living with disabilities are under way thanks to a program in development
by Western University of Health Sciences’ Center for Disability Issues and
the Health Professions (CDIHP). The CDIHP training program will teach
health care providers how to improve the quality of care they give their
patients with disabilities. Funding for the program was provided by a
$611,140 grant from The California Endowment, the state’s largest health
foundation.
Western University founded the CDIHP to prepare health care professionals
to better meet the primary care needs of people with disabilities. Under
the direction of nationally renowned disabled rights activist Brenda Premo-
past director of the California Department of Rehabilitation under former
Governor Pete Wilson-the CDIHP emphasizes both immediate reforms in
educational curriculum as well as long-term research on policies and
related issues.
“”In the first phase of this project, we focused on the identification of
educational materials and the development of a curriculum framework
designed to improve access and care for persons who have disabilities,””
Premo said. “”In the second phase, we will focus on developing hands-on
case study and internship opportunities, integrating and formalizing the
curricula into its pre- and post-graduate educational programs as well as
marketing and conducting them.””
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the number of Americans age 65 and
older will double in the next 30 years, dramatically increasing the number
of patients with age-related disabilities, including decreased mobility,
sensory perception and reasoning. It is estimated that close to 20 percent
of the U.S. population – almost 50 million people – lives with some form
of permanent or long-term disability. Strokes alone disable more than
500,000 Americans annually.
Among the specific programs the CDIHP will undertake with the funding are:
* Develop and integrate hands-on case study and internship opportunities
working with people with disabilities into the health provider training
curricula.
* A study on the knowledge, attitudes and behaviors of 1,500-2,000 primary
care physicians in California in regard to people with disabilities.
* Introduce the CDIHP’s curriculum into the core health professions
educational programs at Western University so that the University’s
graduates will better understand the needs of their patients with
disabilities.
* Work with at least three HMOs to incorporate the CDIHP’s curriculum into
their medical/health profession’s training programs. (In fact, the CDIHP
already is operating two of these programs – the first with the Inland
Empire Health Plan and Cal Optima.)
As a result of its efforts, the CDIHP plans to see improved access to
quality health services for people with disabilities, Premo said.
“”In the big picture, our goal is to impress upon providers that disability
is but one variation in the human experience and that persons with
disabilities can be valued partners in the patient-provider relationship,””
said LeeAnne Carrothers, PhD, PT, director of curriculum for the CDIHP.
“”Data gathered by the state’s Managed Care Task Force indicates that
educational institutions are not adequately preparing the health care work
force to meet the medical needs of California’s growing disabled and aging
population,”” said Jose Marquez, program officer with The California
Endowment. “”The Endowment is pleased to provide funding for this program
that aims to raise the level of provider knowledge, and improve the
quality of services for this underserved population.””
The California Endowment was established in 1996 to expand access to
affordable, quality health care for underserved individuals and
communities, and to promote fundamental improvements in the health status
of all Californians. The Endowment has regional offices in Los Angeles,
San Francisco, Sacramento, Fresno and San Diego with program staff working
throughout the state. The Endowment makes grants to organizations and
institutions that directly benefit the health and well-being of the people
of California. For more information, visit their Web site at
www.calendow.org.
For more information on the CDIHP, visit its Web site at
www.westernu.edu/cdihp, or contact Premo at (909) 469-5380.