The COVID-19 pandemic shows us how important healthcare is for every person in Ontario and around the world. In addition, the pandemic has emphasized the many barriers that already exist in the Ontario healthcare system for patients with disabilities. AODA healthcare standards could prevent and remove these barriers, and ensure that all Ontarians access the care they need. For instance, support for patients and healthcare workers with brain injuries could prevent or remove some of the barriers Ontario patients face.
Support for Patients and Healthcare Workers with Brain Injuries
More people may develop disabilities as a result of COVID-19, including Brain injuries. For instance, people may acquire brain injuries that impact different skills and abilities, such as:
- Mobility
- Information processing, such as textual or verbal information
- Speech
- Focus
- Memory, organization, and time management
- Behavioural regulation and stress management
Therefore, more AODA guidelines governing the healthcare system would better support the growing number of patients with these disabilities.
For instance, people with some forms of brain injury need training in which they learn tools to maintain and regulate emotions or behaviours impacted by changes in brain function, such as:
- Responsibility
- Self-awareness
- Personal and social boundaries
- Safety
AODA healthcare standards could include requirements to increase the number of professionals qualified to teach patients about these tools and techniques. Government could partner with other sectors to develop more training programs for neuropsychologists and mental health counsellors. Campaigns could increase public awareness about the need for these professionals, so that more people would follow these career paths.
Similarly, more patients with brain injuries may also need more professionals who can support them in learning new forms of mobility, information processing, and other daily living skills. For example, some of these professionals include:
- Physiotherapists
- Occupational therapists
- Speech therapists
Likewise, people who have newly acquired brain injuries could also benefit from peer support programs. These programs could connect newly diagnosed patients with other people living with similar injuries, for practical and emotional support.
More Support for Patients and Healthcare Workers with Brain Injuries
In addition, AODA healthcare standards could require more training about brain injuries for healthcare workers, such as:
- Family doctors
- Nurses
- Staff of walk-in clinics
- Lab technicians
- Pharmacists
This basic training would prepare these workers to interact with and support patients with different types of brain injuries. For instance, workers could become familiar with different ways that people may:
- Communicate
- Process information
- Move
- Behave
Detailed training on how to interact with patients who have a variety of abilities could help healthcare workers meet these patients’ needs.
Furthermore, more accessible healthcare spaces would better serve patients who have gained physical disabilities as a result of their brain injuries.
Finally, all these improvements to the healthcare system would also benefit healthcare workers with disabilities, including brain injuries. It is vital that Ontario should develop a healthcare system equipped to support both patients and healthcare workers who have brain injuries.