Sonoran Center Trains Students to Close Disability Care Gaps

Most people receive care from a variety of health professionals throughout their lives, including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, dietitians, people who run public health programs, and more. Unfortunately, not all of these professionals have experience providing care to people with disabilities.

The Sonoran Center for Excellence in Disabilities in the Department of Family & Community Medicine in the College of Medicine – Tucson works to ensure that future health care providers are prepared for some of the unique challenges they may face.

“People with intellectual and developmental disabilities are suffering from health care disparities in our country and in the state,” said Tamsen Bassford, MD, an associate professor of family and community medicine in the College of Medicine – Tucson.

“We know from national studies that the majority of health care students and professionals are not getting significant, or even small amounts of training on developmental medicine or disability-centered education in medical school and in residency. We also know that early exposure to people with disabilities for health care professionals leads to better attitudes, more willingness and enthusiasm for caring for people with disabilities,” she said.

Original Article: University of Arizona - Health Sciences Connect