Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 20, 2025
09:55
Bridging the Technology Divide in the COVID-19 Era: Using Virtual Outreach to Expose Middle and High School Students to Imaging Technology
Published on: September 28, 2022
1.9K
Conclusion to the Special Issue: Understanding the Direct Support Workforce in the United States
1Amy S. Hewitt, University of Minnesota.
Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
|June 3, 2020
Summary
Direct support professionals (DSPs) are crucial for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Improving DSPs' compensation, working conditions, and career paths is essential for quality care.
Area of Science:
- Healthcare
- Social Sciences
- Disability Studies
Background:
- Direct support professionals (DSPs) are vital for providing services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).
- The current system often fails to adequately support DSPs, impacting service quality and workforce stability.
- Positive practices and improved support systems are necessary to retain and empower DSPs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the critical needs of DSPs in the IDD sector.
- To explore the potential of positive practices in enhancing DSP roles.
- To advocate for systemic improvements in DSP compensation, working conditions, and career advancement.
Main Methods:
- This special issue synthesizes existing research and expert perspectives.
- It examines the impact of current support structures on DSPs.
- It identifies and discusses effective strategies and best practices for supporting DSPs.
Main Results:
- DSPs face significant emotional, physical, and financial challenges.
- Improved compensation, working conditions, professional development, and career opportunities are key to supporting DSPs.
- Implementing positive practices can lead to better outcomes for both DSPs and the individuals they serve.
Conclusions:
- Enhancing support for DSPs is fundamental to ensuring quality services and improving the lives of individuals with IDD.
- A multi-faceted approach addressing compensation, work environment, and career growth is required.
- Investing in DSPs is an investment in the overall quality of care within the IDD community.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Specialized Care Centers and Settings-II
1.1K
Rural Health Centers
Rural health centers are specialized care facilities in remote locations with very few medical personnel. The primary care providers who run the centers are mostly Registered Nurse Practitioners. Here, emergency treatment is provided to critically ill or injured patients before they are transferred to the closest hospital. Fortunately, due to advancement in technology, many rural healthcare facilities and professionals have easy access to diagnostic and treatment...
Rural health centers are specialized care facilities in remote locations with very few medical personnel. The primary care providers who run the centers are mostly Registered Nurse Practitioners. Here, emergency treatment is provided to critically ill or injured patients before they are transferred to the closest hospital. Fortunately, due to advancement in technology, many rural healthcare facilities and professionals have easy access to diagnostic and treatment...
1.1K
01:30Specialized Care Centers and Settings-I
1.3K
Specialized care settings or centers are situated in convenient locations within the community and offer care to a specific group or population. They consist of daycare facilities, mental health facilities, rural health facilities, educational institutions, industries, shelters for the homeless, and rehabilitation facilities.
Daycare centers
They provide several functions. Some facilities care for healthy newborns and children whose parents work, while others are medically focused and care for...
Daycare centers
They provide several functions. Some facilities care for healthy newborns and children whose parents work, while others are medically focused and care for...
1.3K
01:29Documentation in Long-Term and Home Healthcare Setting
1.4K
Documentation in long-term care facilities and home healthcare settings is crucial for ensuring continuous, coordinated, and comprehensive care for patients. Each setting has its specific documentation processes and tools:
Long-Term Care Facilities
Long-Term Care Facilities
1.4K
01:30Community Based Intervention
220
Community-based interventions in mental health represent a paradigm shift from institution-centered care to treatments embedded within the fabric of local communities. By prioritizing inclusion and leveraging existing societal structures, this approach fosters a supportive environment conducive to addressing mental health challenges while promoting individual dignity and agency.
Foundations of Community Mental Health Programs
Central to the success of community-based interventions is the...
Foundations of Community Mental Health Programs
Central to the success of community-based interventions is the...
220
02:30Quantifying Work
23.6K
As a system undergoes a change, its internal energy can change, and energy can be transferred from the system to the surroundings, or from the surroundings to the system.
23.6K
01:18Interdisciplinary Care: The Health Care Team-II
2.1K
An interdisciplinary team includes many healthcare professionals working together and utilizing their skills, knowledge, and expertise to provide holistic and quality patient care. Here are a few more healthcare professionals.
Physical Therapist
A physical therapist (PT) aims to restore function or prevent additional impairment in a patient following an injury or disease. Massage, heat, cold, water, sonar waves, exercises, and electrical stimulation are some treatments used by PTs to treat...
Physical Therapist
A physical therapist (PT) aims to restore function or prevent additional impairment in a patient following an injury or disease. Massage, heat, cold, water, sonar waves, exercises, and electrical stimulation are some treatments used by PTs to treat...
2.1K