Amna Khan-Patel’s Post

Here we go yet again with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) saying that they will ban the use of electric shock devices on autistic and other intellectually and developmentally disabled individuals in my country, in my state, and at the only school known to use them on its students, the notorious Judge Rotenberg Center (JRC), only two towns over from where I live in MA. The problem lies in this article's statement, "The Food and Drug Administration indicated that it will put forth a proposed rule to prohibit so-called electrical stimulation devices though it’s unclear when". It's unclear when?! For heaven's sake, FDA, don't you get it that innocent, vulnerable, neurodivergent people at the JRC continue to be tortured by these devices for exhibiting behaviors the school considers unacceptable? Do you understand how it feels to suffer from tissue damage, burn marks and PTSD? Do you get that these are human rights violations? I mean, really! A little empathy could go a long way in this case. The FDA took its own sweet time, several years in fact, to ban these devices in 2020 after having first heard about them, only to see the ban overturned by the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals a year later on the grounds that they were deemed unauthorized to implement the ban. Today, the US Congress has given them such authority. The question is, when? A ban on these shock devices can't come soon enough. Hopefully the FDA will respond faster this time than they did last time. #actuallyautistic #torture #humanrightsviolations #fda #disabilityadvocacy #disabilityrights

I was not going to highlight a recent incident that happened to me but for all the women, especially women of color, who are constantly silenced, I felt that I must share my story. While I was sitting with a group of colleagues, catching up over what has occurred in their lives this past year, a former resident/fellow of mine stepped into the conversation. Yes, I noticed him as he lumbered over to my table after I waved at him leaving an educational session. Without any warning or exchange of courtesy, he proceeded to question, in a rather threatening and demeaning tone, my rationale for starting my own private medical practice. When I asked him to leave, he proceeded to stand behind me, invade my personal space, and make me feel belittled and small. Yes, he had already accomplished that as he is around 6 feet and several inches while I barely scratch 5 feet 3 inches. I want to highlight a pervasive issue that individuals from a diverse spectrum face daily. That is marginalization in professional settings, without anyone stepping in to help or lack of policies by institutions, in this case Houston Methodist, to protect them. Clearly, the situation reflects the unprofessionalism and insecurity of this individual more than anything. But that this individual feels emboldened to harass a female physician in a public setting, without the fear of reprieve shows that the medical setting continues to be entrenched in outdated social and cultural norms. The medical community must reject such conduct. Diversity and respect drive innovation and patient care. It’s time to foster an environment where every voice is valued, ensuring that all professionals can thrive without fear of belittlement. #women #respect #genderbias #norms #medical

If you're a licensed professional, this court case has bearing on you. If we're talking about the medical necessity of trans care that has no room to be discussed by politicians nor the court. They don't go to medical school, they don't determine medical guidelines, they don't follow best practices, or have decades of experience to weigh medical decisions. The heart of these cases seem to revolve around if the care is sound, but what is lost is doctors decide that. And when we take away the agency and power of our professional establishments it has significant and negative impact on any of our ability to do our jobs effectively or ethically. What will be decided isn't if trans care is sound or not, what will be decided is if elected officials can determine best medicine practice or if doctors do.

Did you know? MCMC completes over 100,000 reviews yearly for over 400 clients; including almost all of the nation’s largest Health Plans, PBMs, Disability Carriers, TPAs, UR companies, Self-Insured Employers, and Government Organizations. #IRO #PeerReview #Peerreviews #IME #disability #PBMs #healthplans #TPAs #URcompanies

One of the most impactful takeaways from my recent discussion with Andariya -أندريا on Decolonizing Black and African Women's Health was the critical need for culturally competent care. For #Blackwomen, healthcare has too often been a space where their unique needs and lived experiences are sidelined, leading to mistrust, delayed diagnoses, and worse outcomes. Culturally competent care isn’t just about understanding cultural differences; it’s about respect, genuine empathy, and a commitment to treat patients as whole individuals shaped by their unique backgrounds. In practice, this means #healthcare providers must go beyond standard care practices to understand the complex factors affecting Black women’s health: historical trauma, economic barriers, family structures, and cultural beliefs. Whether it's in preventive screenings, treatment options, or patient education, culturally competent care can be transformative, building trust, improving access, and ultimately saving lives. This isn’t optional—it's essential. Black women deserve healthcare that not only sees them but understands and values them.

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Complete this module and learn how to transform your practice into an LGBTQIA+ friendly space. It explores strategies for inclusive language and attitudes, and how you can create a welcoming service that positively impacts LGBTQIA+ patients. https://bit.ly/46vz3dn #cpd #CME #gp

🏳️🌈 Addressing Current Issues Facing LGBTQIA+ Patients in Physical Therapy🏳️⚧️ Are you wondering why Pride Month is necessary? Look no further than the comment section on a recent Pride post from the American Physical Therapy Association's facebook page. There's no pithy way to describe how much it hurts my heart that my colleagues genuinely feel this way. The post goes through several real life examples from the comments section in order to illustrate the very real bias our LGBTQIA+ patients are facing in physical therapy offices. Let's commit to making physical therapy a more inclusive and supportive environment for LGBTQIA+ patients. It’s not just about treatment—it's about respect, understanding, and equality. 💡 Your Thoughts? Have you experienced or witnessed any of these issues in healthcare? How do you think we can foster a more inclusive environment in physical therapy? Share your thoughts in the comments below! P.S. If you found this helpful, please share it to spread awareness and support our LGBTQIA+ community. ♻️ #LGBTQIA #PhysicalTherapy #InclusiveHealthcare #HealthcareEquality #PatientAdvocacy https://lnkd.in/g-2bKYHP

American Academy of Nursing Nursing’s Responsibility to Our Patients and Our Profession: Countering the Attacks on Transgender and Gender-Diverse Health 1. Gender-Affirming Care is Medically Necessary, Evidence-Based Health Care that Improves Patients' Health and Quality of Life 2. Nurses Must be Allies, Advocates, and Activists in Support of Transgender and Gender-Diverse People 3. Nursing's Expertise is Needed to Combat Misinformation and Harmful Narratives Against Transgender and Gender-Diverse People 4. Nurses Can be Powerful Agents for Societal Change Through Partnership and Collaboration Emphasizing Shared Values—Freedom, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness—Can Unify Efforts Against Divisive Legislation or Narratives Source: https://lnkd.in/eMPfkge7

To evoke change, it is important to recognize that full inclusion encompasses much more than ramps and elevators. For many, an individual’s assistive device is inextricably linked to their health, function, and ability to participate in society. The unique characteristics of one’s device and its componentry allow that individual to interact with the world. Unfortunately, though, these devices can often come at a considerable monetary cost. In other words, an individual’s quality of life is determined by what they can afford. As a steering committee member of the Independence Through Enhancement of Medicare and Medicaid (ITEM) Coalition, the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation is just one of nearly one hundred national organizations that acknowledges the importance of coverage for these devices and is dedicated to demanding change. #TodaysCare #VoicesForReeve #ADA