1
00:00:00,583 --> 00:00:03,044
- As a healthcare provider,
you support your patients

2
00:00:03,044 --> 00:00:06,464
in many ways in order
to improve their lives.

3
00:00:06,464 --> 00:00:08,758
One way you can support
patients with disabilities

4
00:00:08,758 --> 00:00:11,344
is helping them receive the
accommodations they need

5
00:00:11,344 --> 00:00:13,638
to be successful in their workplace

6
00:00:13,638 --> 00:00:16,975
by providing medical
documentation to employers.

7
00:00:16,975 --> 00:00:19,352
This usually takes very
little of your time.

8
00:00:19,352 --> 00:00:22,272
Under the Americans with
Disabilities Act, or ADA,

9
00:00:22,272 --> 00:00:25,775
and other laws like it, many
people with an impairment

10
00:00:25,775 --> 00:00:27,569
or health condition have the right

11
00:00:27,569 --> 00:00:30,280
to a reasonable
accommodation at their job.

12
00:00:30,280 --> 00:00:32,449
Their ability to keep a job may depend

13
00:00:32,449 --> 00:00:34,367
on such accommodations.

14
00:00:34,367 --> 00:00:37,495
This video for healthcare
professionals addresses four main

15
00:00:37,495 --> 00:00:40,206
things to know when providing
medical documentation

16
00:00:40,206 --> 00:00:43,585
for an accommodation
request, the definition

17
00:00:43,585 --> 00:00:47,505
of a reasonable accommodation,
who qualifies for one,

18
00:00:47,505 --> 00:00:50,967
what role you have in the
accommodation process,

19
00:00:50,967 --> 00:00:53,845
and what your documentation
should include.

20
00:00:53,845 --> 00:00:57,348
First, what is a reasonable accommodation?

21
00:00:57,348 --> 00:01:00,477
It is a change in the way
things are normally done at work

22
00:01:00,477 --> 00:01:04,230
that enables an individual
to do a job, apply for a job,

23
00:01:04,230 --> 00:01:08,109
or enjoy equal benefits
and privileges of a job.

24
00:01:08,109 --> 00:01:11,071
Some examples of accommodations
include altered break

25
00:01:11,071 --> 00:01:14,908
and work schedules, time off
for a treatment or recovery,

26
00:01:14,908 --> 00:01:18,286
temporary part-time work,
eliminating a non-essential

27
00:01:18,286 --> 00:01:21,206
job function, and teleworking.

28
00:01:21,206 --> 00:01:24,334
What qualifies a person
for an accommodation?

29
00:01:24,334 --> 00:01:26,795
Accommodations can be requested by anyone

30
00:01:26,795 --> 00:01:29,005
with an ADA-style disability.

31
00:01:29,005 --> 00:01:32,467
An ADA disability is different
from a disability under

32
00:01:32,467 --> 00:01:34,010
many other laws.

33
00:01:34,010 --> 00:01:36,846
Under the ADA, disability means a physical

34
00:01:36,846 --> 00:01:39,891
or mental condition that
would, if left untreated,

35
00:01:39,891 --> 00:01:43,686
substantially limit one or
more major life activities.

36
00:01:43,686 --> 00:01:46,189
A substantial limitation means a condition

37
00:01:46,189 --> 00:01:49,109
that makes an activity more
difficult, uncomfortable,

38
00:01:49,109 --> 00:01:52,487
or time-consuming to
perform compared to the way

39
00:01:52,487 --> 00:01:54,823
that most people perform it.

40
00:01:54,823 --> 00:01:58,201
An ADA disability does not
mean the inability to work.

41
00:01:58,201 --> 00:02:01,246
In fact, the ADA is about helping people

42
00:02:01,246 --> 00:02:04,624
with disabilities get or keep a job.

43
00:02:04,624 --> 00:02:06,709
What role does a healthcare provider play

44
00:02:06,709 --> 00:02:08,711
in the accommodation process?

45
00:02:08,711 --> 00:02:10,880
Normally, employees have to ask

46
00:02:10,880 --> 00:02:14,217
for a reasonable accommodation
and it can be very helpful

47
00:02:14,217 --> 00:02:18,471
if the employee offers a medical
provider's note in support,

48
00:02:18,471 --> 00:02:21,349
but even if the employee
does not offer such a note,

49
00:02:21,349 --> 00:02:25,728
the employer is often permitted
to request the information.

50
00:02:25,728 --> 00:02:28,189
The most important
thing for you is to respond

51
00:02:28,189 --> 00:02:31,067
to the request promptly
and provide helpful

52
00:02:31,067 --> 00:02:32,735
and accurate information.

53
00:02:33,611 --> 00:02:36,531
What should a healthcare
provider's note include?

54
00:02:36,531 --> 00:02:38,825
Your documentation is most likely to help

55
00:02:38,825 --> 00:02:41,494
your patient obtain a
reasonable accommodation

56
00:02:41,494 --> 00:02:44,747
if it contains the
following, a brief statement

57
00:02:44,747 --> 00:02:46,583
of your professional qualifications,

58
00:02:46,583 --> 00:02:48,835
if not apparent from your letterhead,

59
00:02:48,835 --> 00:02:51,713
the nature of your
relationship with the patient,

60
00:02:51,713 --> 00:02:53,673
the individual's diagnosis.

61
00:02:53,673 --> 00:02:55,717
If your patient asks you not to disclose

62
00:02:55,717 --> 00:02:58,386
the specific diagnosis,
it may be sufficient

63
00:02:58,386 --> 00:03:00,847
to state the general type of disorder

64
00:03:00,847 --> 00:03:04,017
or to describe how the
condition substantially limits

65
00:03:04,017 --> 00:03:07,729
a biological function or
other major life activity.

66
00:03:07,729 --> 00:03:10,231
An explanation of how
the patient's condition,

67
00:03:10,231 --> 00:03:13,401
even with treatment,
requires changes at work.

68
00:03:13,401 --> 00:03:16,404
If the symptoms come and
go or are in remission,

69
00:03:16,404 --> 00:03:19,991
describe the limitations
during an active episode,

70
00:03:19,991 --> 00:03:22,702
If necessary, ask your
patient for a description

71
00:03:22,702 --> 00:03:24,329
of their job duties.

72
00:03:24,329 --> 00:03:27,123
It is always helpful to
suggest an accommodation

73
00:03:27,123 --> 00:03:29,459
that you think might be effective.

74
00:03:29,459 --> 00:03:32,086
You should limit your discussion
to the specific problems

75
00:03:32,086 --> 00:03:35,006
that may be helped by a
reasonable accommodation,

76
00:03:35,006 --> 00:03:37,842
and unless the patient
specifically requests it,

77
00:03:37,842 --> 00:03:39,510
don't just provide medical records,

78
00:03:39,510 --> 00:03:43,556
because they will likely
contain unnecessary information.

79
00:03:43,556 --> 00:03:46,726
There are accommodations
that should not be requested.

80
00:03:46,726 --> 00:03:49,187
For instance, it is best if the patient

81
00:03:49,187 --> 00:03:51,356
and the healthcare provider avoid asking

82
00:03:51,356 --> 00:03:53,024
for indefinite leave.

83
00:03:53,024 --> 00:03:56,861
Instead, include a probable
return to work date.

84
00:03:56,861 --> 00:03:59,906
Other requests to avoid
are for a new supervisor,

85
00:03:59,906 --> 00:04:02,617
stress-free work, creation of a new job,

86
00:04:02,617 --> 00:04:06,162
or permanently lowering
production standards.

87
00:04:06,162 --> 00:04:08,539
These types of accommodations
would likely be viewed

88
00:04:08,539 --> 00:04:11,042
as unreasonable by an employer.

89
00:04:11,042 --> 00:04:13,294
Remember, you can only share information

90
00:04:13,294 --> 00:04:16,714
if the patient has consented
and signed a release.

91
00:04:16,714 --> 00:04:18,800
Employers are also required to keep

92
00:04:18,800 --> 00:04:21,803
the information you
provide confidential.

93
00:04:21,803 --> 00:04:23,721
Your help as a medical professional

94
00:04:23,721 --> 00:04:26,474
in the job accommodations
process is important

95
00:04:26,474 --> 00:04:29,102
in helping your patients
who have disabilities keep

96
00:04:29,102 --> 00:04:30,812
their job and income.

97
00:04:30,812 --> 00:04:32,689
Thank you for taking
the time to learn more

98
00:04:32,689 --> 00:04:34,524
about the process.

99
00:04:34,524 --> 00:04:37,568
For sample letters or notes a
healthcare provider can use,

100
00:04:37,568 --> 00:04:40,280
or for more information
about providing documentation

101
00:04:40,280 --> 00:04:42,949
for workplace accommodations, please visit

102
00:04:42,949 --> 00:04:47,954
www.DRTx.org/SampleMedicalLetter,
and for more information about

103
00:04:48,079 --> 00:04:52,000
our services, visit www.DRTx.org.

104
00:04:52,000 --> 00:04:54,377
The information in this
video is not intended to,

105
00:04:54,377 --> 00:04:56,337
and does not replace, an attorney's advice

106
00:04:56,337 --> 00:04:59,716
or assistance based on a
particular patient's situation.