Interdependence: a model for community-based health information management systems.

When a person becomes ill or injured, it is the health care professional's role to restore patients to their preexisting condition. However, when injuries or illness render the individual disabled, it has been my experience that the health care system continues treatment based on what has been regarded as the Medical Model. This Medical Model, however, may not be appropriate for enabling community independence of the individual disabled. An alternative method I have found to be more appropriate in meeting the community participation needs of the individual is examined in this article. The Interdependent Model promotes community acceptance and personal empowerment of the individual. This paradigm is capacities-driven rather than deficit-driven. In an exciting and important way, we have found that it repositions the health care professional's perspective of the doctor-patient relationship.