The Questions, Challenges, and Possibilities When Joining Critical Disabilities Studies and Healthcare Research

Area of Science:

• Disability Studies
• Healthcare Research
• Medical Research

Background:

• Interdisciplinary research teams combining critical disability studies (CDS) and healthcare/medical research can enhance understanding of lived experiences.
• Traditional approaches in CDS and healthcare/medical research differ, posing challenges for integration.
• Historical tensions and divergent training exist between CDS and healthcare/medical research fields.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the integration of critical disability studies (CDS) and healthcare/medical research for improved service to disabled communities.
• To identify key questions and challenges in interdisciplinary disability research.
• To offer strategies for successful collaboration between CDS and healthcare/medical researchers.

Main Methods:

• Conceptual analysis and discussion of hypothetical interdisciplinary research scenarios.
• Examination of fundamental questions in disability research: defining disability, lived experiences, and participant inclusion.
• Review of historical and training-related conflicts between CDS and healthcare/medical research.

Main Results:

• Successful integration necessitates addressing complex questions about disability.
• Understanding the history of conflict and divergent training is crucial for collaboration.
• Collaborative efforts can optimize research success for disabled communities.

Conclusions:

• Recommend holistic, person-centered research approaches.
• Emphasize treating individuals with disabilities as experts in research.
• Advocate for community collaboration in all research phases.
• Position the manuscript as a foundational guide for ethical, rigorous interdisciplinary research in health, medicine, and disability.