Abstract
The transition from pediatric to adult health care for individuals with childhood–onset neurological conditions can be challenging, partly because many physicians are inexperienced in treating people with intellectual and physical disabilities. We investigated the impact of working at a medical and rehabilitation center on physicians' perceptions of disabilities medicine. Participants were part–time physicians who worked four half–days per week at the Tokyo Metropolitan Kita Medical and Rehabilitation Center for the Disabled. After a four half–days working stint, participants were asked via a questionnaire to rate their understanding of 11 items related to medical care for people with disabilities before and after the said work period. In total, seven physicians answered these questions. The items that they were less familiar with before their stint were the daily lives of people with disabilities, an overview of medical facilities for people with disabilities, and methods of physical examination and communication. After having worked at the Center, respondents' awareness of 8 items related to medical care for people with disabilities had improved significantly compared to the pre–work period. Opportunities to practice at hospitals for people with disabilities may deepen physicians' understanding of disabilities medicine for patients with childhood–onset diseases.
