This Best Practices Series includes videos on improving primary care, mental health care and emergency care. The videos demonstrate common practice errors followed by strategies to improve medical encounters.
Improving primary care
A man with Autism Spectrum Disorder has pain in his ear and is visiting a family doctor. In the first scenario, the examination is painful and stressful. In the improved practice scenario, strategies to improve his care include asking permission, offering choices, and describing and showing before doing. The physician suggests the use of a Caregiver Health Assessment tool for a follow up visit.
Adapting medical procedures
An anxious young woman with Down syndrome is getting her blood drawn in hospital. In the first scenario, the nurse cannot get the blood drawn at all. In the improved practice, strategies to improve her care experience include explaining before doing, encouraging her to seek support from her sister, and sharing the "About Me" patient communication tool.