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{
    "pk": 17214,
    "title": "Improving Accessibility in the Emergency Department for Patients with Disabilities: A Qualitative Study",
    "subtitle": null,
    "abstract": "Introduction: The emergency department (ED) is a critical service area for patients living with disabilities in the United States. Despite this, there is limited research on best practices from the patient experience regarding accommodation and accessibility for those with disabilities. In this study we investigate the ED experience from the perspective of patients living with physical and cognitive disability, as well as visual impairment and blindness, to better understand the barriers to accessibility in the ED for these populations.\nMethods: Twelve individuals with either physical or cognitive disabilities, visual impairments or blindness were interviewed regarding their ED experiences, particularly related to accessibility. Interviews were transcribed and coded for qualitative analysis with generation of significant themes relating to accessibility in the ED.\nResults: Major themes from coded analysis were as follows: 1) inadequate communication between staff and  patients with visual impairments and physical disabilities; 2) the need for electronic delivery for after-visit summaries for individuals with cognitive and visual disabilities; 3) the importance of mindful listening and patience by healthcare staff; 4) the role of increased hospital support including greeters and volunteers; and 5) comprehensive training with both prehospital and hospital staff around assistive devices and services.\nConclusion: This study serves as an important first step toward improving the ED environment to ensure accessibility and inclusivity for patients presenting with various types of disabilities. Implementing specific training, policies, and infrastructure changes may improve the experiences and healthcare of this population.",
    "language": "en",
    "license": {
        "name": "Creative Commons Attribution 4.0",
        "short_name": "CC BY 4.0",
        "text": "Attribution — You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use.\r\n\r\nNo additional restrictions — You may not apply legal terms or technological measures that legally restrict others from doing anything the license permits.",
        "url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0"
    },
    "keywords": [
        {
            "word": "accessibility"
        },
        {
            "word": "Emergency Medicine"
        },
        {
            "word": "Patients with Disabilities"
        },
        {
            "word": "Qualitative Research"
        }
    ],
    "section": "Emergency Department Operations",
    "is_remote": true,
    "remote_url": "https://escholarship.org/uc/item/70k9z1ss",
    "frozenauthors": [
        {
            "first_name": "John",
            "middle_name": "Harrison",
            "last_name": "Carmichael",
            "name_suffix": "",
            "institution": "University of Massachusetts, Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts",
            "department": "None"
        },
        {
            "first_name": "Kelly",
            "middle_name": "M.",
            "last_name": "Kalagher",
            "name_suffix": "",
            "institution": "University of Massachusetts, Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts",
            "department": "None"
        },
        {
            "first_name": "Martin",
            "middle_name": "A.",
            "last_name": "Reznek",
            "name_suffix": "",
            "institution": "University of Massachusetts, Chan Medical School, Department of Emergency Medicine, Worcester, Massachusetts",
            "department": "None"
        },
        {
            "first_name": "Payal",
            "middle_name": "",
            "last_name": "Modi",
            "name_suffix": "",
            "institution": "University of Massachusetts, Chan Medical School, Department of Emergency Medicine, Worcester, Massachusetts",
            "department": "None"
        }
    ],
    "date_submitted": "2022-08-16T02:27:55Z",
    "date_accepted": "2022-08-16T02:27:55Z",
    "date_published": "2023-05-03T20:51:25Z",
    "render_galley": null,
    "galleys": [
        {
            "label": "",
            "type": "pdf",
            "path": "https://journalpub.escholarship.org/westjem/article/17214/galley/8702/download/"
        }
    ]
}