“I Want to Help, but What Do You Do in a Situation Like That?” Health Care Providers' Qualitative Perspectives on Working with Disabled Women in Breast Cancer Screening

Abstract

BackgroundDisabled women find that social and physical discomforts during encounters with health providers pose barriers to breast cancer screening. We studied providers' perspectives and learning needs related to this problem in order to develop a disability education initiative. DesignThis was a descriptive qualitative study with focus group methods. Participants were recruited from staff of a joint Department of Medical Imaging at three academic teaching hospitals in Toronto, Canada. Seven focus groups were held with 43 clerical staff, mammography technologists, and radiologists. ResultsParticipants reported that they aimed to provide positive breast screening experiences for disabled women but expressed uncertainty about respectful and appropriate communication with disabled women. Novel situations with disabled women were challenging and, without formal disability education, most relied on experiential learning. ConclusionsOur study elicited important information about the concerns and learning needs of health professionals who provide breast screening services to disabled women. This information supported development of a disability education curriculum for these providers.