Disability, Medicine & Society

Question 1

What is the ‘biomedical’ definition of an impairment?

Answer 1

A problem in body function or structure due to a physical loss, disease or condition

Question 2

What is the ‘biomedical’ definition of a disability?

Answer 2

Restriction of ability within a range considered normal, resulting from an impairment

Question 3

What is meant by a social disadvantage?

How are they related to disability?

Answer 3

Social, economic and psychological handicap

A social disadvantage is a consequence of a disability

Question 4

What does the biomedical approach to disability demonstrate?

Answer 4

1. a starting point is an organic deficit (impairment)
2. functional disability arises from the deficit
3. social and psychological consequences follow

Question 5

What is the word ‘handicap’ used to describe in the biomedical definition of disability?

Answer 5

A handicap is a social disadvantage

e.g. being unable to hold a job down means being economically disadvantaged

intellectual impairments

Question 6

What is the consequence of disabled people looking ‘different’ to others?

Answer 6

They have an attribute which is socially discrediting

They are mentally classified by others in an undesirable, rejected stereotype rather than in an accepted normal one

Question 7

What is the biomedical approach to disability, and the role of medicine within it?

Answer 7

1. individuals with impairments are anomalies, or deviations from a normal healthy state
2. medicine aims to prevent or treat impairment or return the disabled to a state of normal functioning

Question 8

What term is used to describe returning the disabled to a normal functioning state?

Answer 8

Rehabilitation

Question 9

According to the social model, how does impairment relate to disability?

Answer 9

This model rejects impairment as an inevitable cause of disability

Question 10

How does the social model describe how disadvantages arise?

Answer 10

Disadvantages result less from impairment than society’s inability to accommodate difference

Question 11

How does a disability develop, according to the social model?

Answer 11

Barriers in society disable those with an impairment

Question 12

What interventions are involved in treating disabled people, according to the social model?

Answer 12

Social change

Not just medical intervention or prevention through prenatal screening

Question 13

What is emphasised through the social model?

Answer 13

Disabled people are not victims of impairment

They are active agents in our society who contribute to their families and society in what should be valued as an equal way

Question 14

Who developed the social model of disability?

Answer 14

Oliver

Question 15

What is meant by the motto “different but not deficient” according to deaf people who do not want cochlea implants?

Answer 15

They find cochlea implants a threat to their unique language and culture

They do not want their deafness “cured”

Question 16

If someone was to ask:

“Are your difficulties in understanding people mainly due to a hearing problem?”

How would the social model suggest the question be asked?

Answer 16

“Are your difficulties in understanding people mainly due to their inability to communicate with you?”

Question 17

What are the 4 factors in the environment that act as social barriers, according to the social model of disability?

Answer 17

The environment is inaccessible due to:

1. buildings
2. services
3. language
4. communication

Question 18

What is an example of a communication barrier for a deaf person?

Answer 18

They may leave a GP surgery being unclear about a diagnosis

Question 19

What is an example of a communication barrier for a blind/visually impaired person?

Answer 19

They may not be able to read the health information that they were provided with

Question 20

What % of GPs have not received training on how to treat patients with a learning disability?

Answer 20

75%

Question 21

How do hidden discriminations tend to arise?

Answer 21

Most things are organised and designed around those without impairments

Assumptions around what is the ‘norm’ can seriously disadvantage some people

Question 22

According to the social model, what social barriers arise from organisations?

Answer 22

Organisations are inflexible in their procedures and practices

Question 23

What would be an example of an organisational barrier?

Answer 23

A patient with Crohn’s disease working in a call centre where employees are allowed 4 toilet breaks a day

He needs to access the toilet frequently

Question 24

According to the social model, what social barriers arise from attitudes?

Answer 24

1. prejudice
2. stereotyping
3. discrimination

Question 25

What is the definition of a stereotype?

Answer 25

Over-simplified, widely shared representations of a social group

Question 26

What is the definition of prejudice?

Answer 26

Affective evaluations associated with stereotypes

These may be positive of negative

Question 27

What is the definition of discrimination?

Answer 27

Enacted behaviour that is influenced by negative attitudes

Question 28

How are stereotypes, prejudice and discrimination linked?

Answer 28

Stereotype leads to prejudice

Prejudice leads to discrimination

Discrimination works to maintain the stereotype

Question 29

According to the 1967 abortion act, what is the condition for abortion, after 24 weeks, relating to disability?

Answer 29

When there is a “substantial risk that if the child were born it would suffer from such physical or mental abnormalities as to be seriously handicapped”

Question 30

What is the problem with the abortion act?

Answer 30

There is no definition of “seriously handicapped” so it is interpretable by patients and doctors

There is no legal limit as to when abortion can take place

Question 31

What language should be used to describe a patient with a disability?

Answer 31

Don’t say “suffers from DS”

Say “has DS”

Question 32

According to the social model, what is the definition of disability?

Answer 32

Negative aspect of interaction between an individual with an impairment and contextual factors (environment, social)

Question 33

In what 2 main ways has the social model impacted upon medicine?

Answer 33

1. there is a focus on function and impact rather than just cause
2. changing definitions and terminology - “handicap” has now gone

Question 34

According to the Equality Act, 2010, when is a person classified as disabled?

Answer 34

A person is disabled if they have a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long-term negative effect on their ability to do normal daily activities

Question 35

What is meant by the Equality Act introducing protected characteristics?

Answer 35

Protected characteristics cannot be discriminated against

e.g. age, sexuality, marital status, disability

Question 36

What is the aim of the Equality Act, 2010?

Answer 36

It protects disabled people and their carers against discrimination and victimisation

Question 37

Under the Equality Act, what is the definition of discrimination?

Answer 37

To treat one group of people less favourably than others because they belong to a particular social group

Question 38

What is direct discrimination?

Answer 38

Treating someone less favourably that someone else has been/would be treated because the person belongs to one of the protected groups

Question 39

What is indirect discrimination?

Answer 39

Rules, regulations or procedures that have the effect of discriminating against one of the protected groups

Question 40

What is the definition of victimisation?

Answer 40

To punish or treat a person less favourable because that person has asserted his/her rights

Question 41

According to the Equality Act, what is required in order for reasonable adjustments to be made?

Answer 41

All public sector services have a legal duty to make reasonable adjustments to their services so that they are as accessible and effective for disabled people as they would be for people who are not disabled