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The RCH\u2019s DI Project Manager Joanne Rowe explained the study found the questions had demonstrated substantial utility in identifying individuals with disability and capturing relevant data about their difficulties and assistance needed when accessing healthcare.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis data provides us – for the first time \u2013 with a snapshot of which of our patients report having a disability. And crucially, any adjustments or assistance they need to access our healthcare service,\u201d Joanne said.<\/p>\n
The report also found the acceptability of the DI questions was high among patients, carers, and clinicians, indicating a positive reception and a willingness to engage with the process.<\/p>\n
The study contributes towards developing a standardised approach to disability identification, emphasising the need for continuous evaluation, stakeholder engagement, and leveraging digital health platforms to enhance the inclusivity of healthcare services and achieve equitable health outcomes for all.<\/p>\n
\u201cBy sharing these learnings and resources, we hope to see this become part of standard care delivery and health service datasets,\u201d Joanne added.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s important that this knowledge is shared far and wide, which is why the project team has designed an Accessible Care Toolkit, as a guide for other healthcare providers to incorporate the DI into their workflows and care delivery.<\/p>\n
A lived-experience advisor on the project explained \u201cthese resources have basically opened a whole way of new thinking for me as a parent and advocate, and it’s something we should all be very excited about\u201d.<\/p>\n
The DI Initiative has been made possible with funding support from the Victorian Government through the State Disability Liaison Program, the RCH Foundation and in-kind support from the Centre for Health Analytics and the participating hospitals.<\/p>\n