Dr. Biljana Simikic, Senior Medical Director at CCA and CCA Primary Care, wrote an op-ed for the Worcester Telegram & Gazette discussing the barriers that prevent or discourage people with disabilities from receiving routine medical care. Practicing inclusive care for people with disabilities starts with focusing on accessibility, she writes.
Dr. Simikic notes the importance of proper equipment, such as assistive communication devices, wheelchair scales, and patient lifts. These items can help patients with disabilities be more comfortable in a medical office and build necessary trust with their providers.
“At CCA, we have learned that equipping physicians and other health care professionals with the tools, resources, incentives, training and support they need can minimize reluctance and improve their satisfaction with the practice of medicine,” she writes.
Providing care in patients’ homes also improves access. Certain CCA members, including eligible members in Worcester, can receive in-home visits to help them manage their conditions, she notes.