Providing Care to People With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities in Medical Education

Am J Intellect Dev Disabil. 2024 Nov 1;129(6):476-489. doi: 10.1352/1944-7558-129.6.476.

Abstract

Medical professionals commonly report having inadequate training providing care for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). This pilot study aimed to address this gap through a virtual Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCE) with individuals with IDD as patient educators for 25 first- and second-year medical students (OSCE participants). Quantitative data through the Prediger competency scale and qualitative data through a semistructured interview were analyzed. OSCE participants reported a significant increase (p < 0.05) in self-perceived competency scores when comparing pre- and post-OSCE scores. Qualitative analysis yielded themes corresponding to improving skills, practice considerations, and perspectives and biases changes. These results suggested that this virtual OSCE promoted the development of self-perceived clinical competency and comfort providing care for individuals with IDD.

Keywords: IDD; medical education; objective structured clinical examination.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Clinical Competence* / standards
  • Developmental Disabilities*
  • Education, Medical
  • Education, Medical, Undergraduate
  • Educational Measurement
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Intellectual Disability*
  • Male
  • Pilot Projects
  • Qualitative Research
  • Students, Medical
  • Young Adult