How medical model of disability reflect on service delivery?
The medical model of disability views disability as a medical problem that needs to be fixed or cured. This model has a number of implications for service delivery, including:
1. Focus on individual deficits: The medical model focuses on the individual's impairments or deficits, rather than their strengths and abilities. This can lead to a narrow focus on rehabilitation and treatment, and a lack of attention to other aspects of the individual's life, such as their social and emotional needs.
2. Paternalism: The medical model can lead to a paternalistic approach to service delivery, where professionals make decisions for people with disabilities without their input or consent. This can disempower people with disabilities and prevent them from having control over their own lives.
3. Stigma and discrimination: The medical model can contribute to stigma and discrimination against people with disabilities. This is because it portrays disability as something negative that needs to be fixed or cured. This can lead to people with disabilities being excluded from society and denied opportunities for education, employment, and social participation.
4. Limited access to services: The medical model can limit access to services for people with disabilities. This is because it often leads to a focus on expensive, specialized services that are not available to everyone. As a result, many people with disabilities are left without the support they need to live independently and participate fully in society.
5. Lack of focus on prevention: The medical model focuses on treating disability once it has occurred, rather than preventing it from happening in the first place. This can lead to missed opportunities for early intervention and prevention, which could save money and improve outcomes for people with disabilities.
6. Focus on cure: The medical model places an emphasis on curing disability, which is not always possible or appropriate. This can lead to unrealistic expectations and disappointment for people with disabilities and their families.
7. Limited role for people with disabilities: The medical model often excludes people with disabilities from decision-making about their own care and services. This can disempower people with disabilities and prevent them from fully participating in society.
8. Lack of support for families: The medical model often fails to provide support for families of people with disabilities. This can lead to stress and isolation for families, and can make it difficult for them to care for their loved ones.
Alternative models of disability
There are a number of alternative models of disability that challenge the medical model. These models include the social model, the human rights model, and the biopsychosocial model. These models view disability as a social construct, rather than a medical problem, and they emphasize the importance of inclusion, participation, and empowerment of people with disabilities.
These alternative models have a number of implications for service delivery, including:
1. Focus on strengths and abilities: Alternative models of disability focus on the strengths and abilities of people with disabilities, rather than their deficits. This can lead to a more holistic approach to service delivery, which addresses the individual's physical, emotional, social, and intellectual needs.
2. Empowerment: Alternative models of disability emphasize the importance of empowering people with disabilities. This can be done by providing information and support, and by involving people with disabilities in decision-making about their own care and services.
3. Inclusion: Alternative models of disability promote the inclusion of people with disabilities in all aspects of society. This includes education, employment, social activities, and decision-making.
4. Prevention: Alternative models of disability focus on prevention, as well as treatment. This can be done by addressing the social and environmental factors that can contribute to disability.
5. Support for families: Alternative models of disability provide support for families of people with disabilities. This can help to reduce stress and isolation, and can make it easier for families to care for their loved ones.