Conceptions of disability among health professionals in training and in practice: a qualitative study

This study aimed to examine the conceptions of disability among 30 professionals in training or practice, representing 14 distinct health professions, through individual interviews. A committee of experts developed thirty-four representative statements encompassing religious-moral, medical, social, and affirmative perspectives on disability. The participants provided justifications for their positions on each statement, unveiling a coexistence of understandings that encompassed both medical and social perspectives on disability. A recurring argument emphasized bodily impairments as the origin of social inequalities, advocating for health practices that aim to normalize individuals. Simultaneously, the need for societal transformation to dismantle barriers, foster inclusion, and ensure rights was also acknowledged. Some justifications critically addressed ideologies that individualize disability and social processes that contribute to inequality. Moral and/or religious interpretations were frequently used by the participants. However, the study highlighted the limited comprehension of disability as a complex and multidimensional phenomenon, indicating a pressing need for enhanced attention to professional training in this area.