Best Practices Series
This Best Practices Series includes videos on improving primary care, mental health care and emergency care. The videos demonstrate common practice errors followed by strategies to improve medical encounters.
A man with Autism Spectrum Disorder has pain in his ear and is visiting a family doctor. In the first scenario, the examination is painful and stressful. In the improved practice scenario, strategies to improve his care include asking permission, offering choices, and describing and showing before doing. The physician suggests the use of a Caregiver Health Assesment tool for a follow up visit.
An anxious young woman with Down syndrome is getting her blood drawn in hospital. In the first scenario, the nurse cannot get the blood drawn at all. In the improved practice, strategies to improve her care experience include explaining before doing, encouraging her to seek support from her sister, and sharing the "About Me" patient communication tool.
An agitated young man was brought to the Emergency department by police. In the first scenario the situation quickly escalates. In the improved practice, the young man is calmed and the underlying "cause" of the agitation is better understood.
A man with Down Syndrome in the emergency department has returned after having several previous visits because of stress at home. The improved practice segment of this video illustrates how hospital and community can work together to prevent unneccesary repeat visits. Tools are provided to connect with cargivers about crisis planning.
A young man is depressed having his first psychiatric assessment. In the first scenario, the encounter is quick and not very comprehensive. In the improved scenario, a strong alliance is developed, the interview is in greater depth, and his sister is included in the recommendations.
Clinicians can be hesitant to ask about suicide when patients have developmental disabilities. But you cannot assess risk for suicide unless you ask. In this video a psychiatrist shows how to screen for suicidal and self harming behaviors with a patient with developmental disabilities.