Meeting the medical needs of diverse children and families - A professional conundrum

Abstract:

The diversity in the population is visible and is prevalent globally. The movement of young people and their families with young children for a wide range of personal reasons – economic, for safety from war zones, political asylum, and for better job prospects in Multi-National Companies (MNCs). This presentation will aim to highlight the importance of raised awareness of medical professionals about the diversity of children and families in the cotemporary community.  Professionals’ may not emphasise on the need to develop an understanding of the socio- cultural issues associated with health and illness as well as disabilities. Further, the families relating to the key intersections of several categories such as gender, race, abilities associated to the children and influence the access or lack of access of the health services available around them for several reasons. The misunderstanding of expectations between professionals and families would result in poor health of children and their families. On the other hand, an understanding of the heterogenous nature of diversity especially families belong to a specific category, might help the professionals to develop a better understanding of the holistic nature of the context of the medical condition that may have been overlooked by the medical professionals. It might help professionals not to make any assumptions by including the child and their parents. This will empower the families and encourage positive engagement leading to better access to health provision.

Audience Take Away Notes:

• The professional will gain an understanding of the wider and holistic context of the family and its impact
• Thinking laterally and not stereotyping or making assumptions related to the child, and treatment options
• An audit of the general observations related to diagnosis and treatments provided and any issues that might have been considered a complicated

Biography:

Dr Chandrika Devarakonda, SFHEA is an Associate Professor  in the Faculty of Education and Children’s Services. She also the disability link tutor for the faculty, link tutor for the partner colleges. Before arriving at the University of Chester, she worked in an FE college as a main grade lecturer in Child Studies during for 10 years. She was responsible for developing short courses and teaching on mainstream courses in the college and in the wider community. She obtained PhD degree from the University of Manchester. Her research explored perceptions of parents and teachers about appropriate educational provision for children with Down’s syndrome. She have taught on a wide range of programmes at undergraduate and post - graduate level. The modules focussed on wide range of issues such as inclusion and diversity, international perspectives of early childhood, leadership and management, changing face of childhood. Work based learning, parent partnerships. She have collaborated with colleagues from University of North Florida, Jacksonville, Florida and Susquehanna University in Pennsylvania in USA to organise placements for their international experience in early childhood module. I have been invited to give key note speeches by several organisations such Equaliteach, Belfast Childcare partnership, Laicester Early years in the UK and universities in USA, Spain, Netherlands and India. She have been invited to give talks at Autonomous University of Barcelona, Millersville University, HU institute of Applied Sciences, keynote speeches at Amity University, Pondicherry University in India, Constanz University, Germany, Pearson. She have supervised dissertations of EdD students successfully. She have supervised dissertations on a wide range of topics she have supervised a Commonwealth Scholar Dr Krishna Duhan.