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Disability Case Study: Patient Vulnerability

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Case Study: Patient Vulnerability Sarah is a 64 year old woman with a severe learning disability who has recently moved from long-term care facility to her own home in the community. Following this transition, it is discovered that she has been suffering from an untreated problem with her throat for numerous years. This undiagnosed problem has left her with swallowing and reflux issues as well as dysphagia. In order to investigate further, it is necessary for Sarah to have an endoscopy. She does not communicate verbally and needs complete support in her life to meet her needs. Based upon her admission data and history, she has no known family members. The specialist in charge of Sarah’s care has asked her support staff to sign a consent form for her treatment. • What are the concerns? • Does Sarah have the capacity to consent to treatment? • If yes, please explain the basis of this decision. • If not, why not? • Who should be involved for the best interest of the patient and to make the decision for care and treatment? • Are there any additional concerns with this situation? Analysis: …show more content…

In addition, a specialist must receive informed consent prior to any treatment. Since Sarah is unable to be informed, she is unable to give legal consent. Based on this information, Sarah would be experiencing cognitive/communication vulnerability. Per the Institutional Review Board for Social & Behavioral Sciences (2012), cognitive or communication vulnerability includes any participant who is unable to process, understand, appreciate, and reason through the consent documentation or explanations either by mental constraint or language

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