5074.0: Wednesday, November 15, 2000 - 8:30 AM

Abstract #3970

Eliminating Disparities in Health Care: Change Through Definition

Jaspreet Chowdhary1, Sarah Stockbridge2, and Susan Stocker2. (1) Agnes Scott College, 309 North Decatur Lane, Decatur, GA 30033, 404-501-0339, jaspreetc@hotmail.com, (2) Goucher College, MD, N/A, ssarah00@hotmail.com

How can we communicate differences in our understanding of health care to one another and decrease the disparity in the delivery of health care by combining these different definitions to encompass varied standpoints? The purpose of this presentation is to explore this question. This paper, will draw upon qualitative research that upholds personal experiences as well as incorporating the techniques of Augusto Boal to use "theatre as knowledge" in order to know the world, so it can be transformed. By knowing and referring to personal experiences with health care and extending this invitation to others we have come to know a myriad of definitions and possibilities, each of which, when standing alone can not hold the changes we would like to see for the future. However when multiple definitions are held together and our different standpoints upheld and realized, transformation is possible and our hopes for connected and empowering healthcare become realistic possibilities.

Learning Objectives: 1. During this session, participants will define health care and recognize differences across definitions. 2. During the session the participants will discuss and analyze their own experiences with health care. 3. As a group, the participants will construct new definitions of health care that hold multiple standpoints

Keywords: Change, Communication

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

The 128th Annual Meeting of APHA