Dr. Mary Ann McColl is a Professor in the School of Rehabilitation Therapy and in the Department of Public Health Sciences, as well as the Associate Director of the Centre for Health Services and Policy Research at Queen’s University. She is also the Academic Lead for the Canadian Disability Policy Alliance, an association of academic, community, and policy partners committed to understanding and enhancing disability policy in Canada. Dr. McColl’s research examines access to health services for people with disabilities, disability policy, spirituality and health, primary care for special populations, community integration, and social support.

In this episode, Dr. McColl explores the concept of spirituality, which she defines as a human trait related to the extent to which one is able to or wishes to perceive of something beyond which we can experience with our five senses and our brain, as it relates to disability and health studies. She also explains the development of disability studies, and in particular appreciative inquiry, in teaching future healthcare professionals. 

Please visit the School of Rehabilitation Therapy and Centre for Studies in Primary Care for more information on Dr. McColl's research.