The Singapore Family Physician

Back to issue Vol 40 No. 2 - Improving Healthcare for Persons with Disabilities

Overview of “Improving Healthcare for Persons with Disabilities” Family Practice Skills Course

Goh Lee Gan
The Singapore Family Physician Vol 40 No 2 - Improving Healthcare for Persons with Disabilities
6 - 7
1 April 2014
0377-5305
Improving access to healthcare and other services for persons with disabilities (PWDs) is one of the five cross-cutting issues in the Ministry of Social and Family Development’s (MSF) Enabling Masterplan 2012-2016. The other 4 cross-cutting are caregiver support and transition management, manpower and technology, transport and public education in the enablement of PWDs to participate fully in society. In this Family Practice Skills Course, the focus is on touch points for access to care for PWDs. Family physicians are key touch points to the services and benefit schemes that PWDs require. Also, a greater understanding on the importance of life course and integrated approach of early intervention, education and healthy lifestyle, employment options, and adult care will enable family physicians to optimise doctor-patient and doctor-family caregiver encounters. Family physicians also need to be familiar with assessments and onward referral to receive care or benefits for PWDs. Thanks are due to the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) for sponsoring this Family Practice Skills Course.