[8] Oral presentation

[8-6] Experiences of people with disability seeking to become healthcare professionals

*Yoko Setoyama¹, Noriko Iba² (1. Tokyo Medical University(Japan), 2. DIPEx-Japan(Japan))

Presentation language：Japanese

Objective:

The promotion of worker-friendly environment and diversity of healthcare professionals(HP) is a major issue in Japan today. This study explores the experiences of people with disability seeking to become, or those who have become HP, in order to promote inclusive environment within the healthcare field.

Method:

Thematic analysis of qualitative data collected by narrative interviews conducted between December 2018 and October 2019. Data from 6 people with disabilities who have the experiences of being HP or healthcare students was analyzed.

Findings:

A nurse with internal disability since the age of 16 found that his experience of disability had prompted him to become HP, and a doctor using wheelchair said the disability might affect the relationship with patients. Some felt ethical dilemma in being or seeking to be HP with disabilities.

Discussions:
HP with disabilities have recognized that their own disabilities affect both positively and negatively on being or seeking to become HP. While people with disabilities have the right to choose their occupations, in healthcare settings, patients’ safety and quality of care must take priorities. We need more discussions on what the essence of being HP and how to provide reasonable accommodation to HP with disabilities.