Groundbreaking Training Program Helps Ensure Adequate Health Care for People with Disabilities; First Phase of Program Addresses Need for Preventive Breast Care.

Business Editors & Health/Medical Writers

POMONA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 24, 2002

In response to the need women with disabilities have for even the most basic of health-care services, a new training program for health-care professionals and people with disabilities has recently been introduced by the Center for Disability Issues and the Health Professions (CDIHP) at Western University of Health Sciences.

Developed for use by physicians and other health-care providers, the breakthrough Pathways(TM) Series is a comprehensive training program stored on an interactive CD-ROM, which includes written material, printable protocols, still pictures and video designed to improve the delivery of health-care services urgently needed by people with disabilities.

The first phase of the program addresses the delivery of preventive breast care to women with a wide range of disabilities. The Pathway Series BREAST CARE includes practical instructions on adapting breast self-exam, breast exams performed by health-care professionals and mammograms. To purchase the BREAST CARE CD-ROM, contact the Center at 909/469-5380. The price is $249.

According to LeeAnne Carrothers, PT, Ph.D., associate professor and director of curriculum for the CDIHP, and the primary author of the program, too many women with disabilities go without the most basic health-care services. Adequate breast care, including self-exams, exams in the practitioner's office and mammograms are essential to overall wellness, not to mention early diagnosis of breast cancer.

In the past several years, the inadequacy of health-care services for people with disabilities has become more and more evident, according to Carrothers. She said there have been a number of lawsuits brought by disabled individuals against managed care organizations and health-care providers who failed to provide basic, necessary services.

The program was a collaborative effort between Oakland, Calif.-based Breast Health Access for Women with Disabilities (BHAWD) and CDIHP. BHAWD provided the initial protocols from which the instructional materials were developed.

"BREAST CARE is only the first in a series of training modules," said Brenda Premo, MBA, CDIHP director. "We're committed to developing a comprehensive program that addresses major health-care issues facing practitioners and consumers with disabilities."

The CDIHP Web site offers educational tools, valuable resources and links in a number of areas related to improving health care for people with disabilities.

For more information, contact Premo at Western University, Center for Disability Issues and the Health Professions, 309 E. 2nd St., Pomona, Calif. 91766, 909/469-5380, http://www.westernu.edu/cdihp.