Experiences, attitudes, and knowledge of medical students regarding intellectual and developmental disability: a Canadian study

Abstract Background As the healthcare of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) shifts toward community-based services, physicians in all areas of medicine are more likely to care for this population. To ensure that all physicians can provide high-quality care to people w...

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Main Authors: Gabriel Tarzi, Alyssa Yip, Muhammad Irfan Jiwa, Anupam Thakur, Soumya Mishra, Laura Koch, Olivia Mendoza, Amandi Perera, Lachina Mckenzie, Yona Lunsky
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2024-12-01
Series:BMC Medical Education
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-024-06482-z
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author Gabriel Tarzi
Alyssa Yip
Muhammad Irfan Jiwa
Anupam Thakur
Soumya Mishra
Laura Koch
Olivia Mendoza
Amandi Perera
Lachina Mckenzie
Yona Lunsky
author_facet Gabriel Tarzi
Alyssa Yip
Muhammad Irfan Jiwa
Anupam Thakur
Soumya Mishra
Laura Koch
Olivia Mendoza
Amandi Perera
Lachina Mckenzie
Yona Lunsky
author_sort Gabriel Tarzi
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background As the healthcare of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) shifts toward community-based services, physicians in all areas of medicine are more likely to care for this population. To ensure that all physicians can provide high-quality care to people with IDD, further understanding and attention to undergraduate medical education related to IDD is needed. Methods A 24-item survey assessed the experiences, attitudes, knowledge, skills, and future interest of Canadian medical students regarding IDD. Descriptive statistics were calculated for questionnaire responses and responses of students who had more in-depth experience were compared to those of students with minimal past experience. Results A total of 443 Canadian medical students completed the survey. Students did not feel competent obtaining clear histories from people with IDD. Most students were not confident they could provide quality care to this population but wanted further learning. Students with prior IDD experiences through family/friends felt more knowledgeable and interested in caring for this population than those with community/clinical and minimal experiences. Discussion Many Canadian medical students lack the knowledge and skills needed to adequately care for people with IDD. Despite this, a majority of students were interested in further learning opportunities to improve care for people with IDD. These findings underscore the necessity of evaluating the current medical curriculum and implementing measures to better prepare students to care for this population.
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spelling doaj-art-fa8e08c90fea44c8a7430d792b50abae2025-08-20T02:32:26ZengBMCBMC Medical Education1472-69202024-12-012411810.1186/s12909-024-06482-zExperiences, attitudes, and knowledge of medical students regarding intellectual and developmental disability: a Canadian studyGabriel Tarzi0Alyssa Yip1Muhammad Irfan Jiwa2Anupam Thakur3Soumya Mishra4Laura Koch5Olivia Mendoza6Amandi Perera7Lachina Mckenzie8Yona Lunsky9Azrieli Adult Neurodevelopmental Centre, Centre for Addiction and Mental HealthAzrieli Adult Neurodevelopmental Centre, Centre for Addiction and Mental HealthAzrieli Adult Neurodevelopmental Centre, Centre for Addiction and Mental HealthAzrieli Adult Neurodevelopmental Centre, Centre for Addiction and Mental HealthAzrieli Adult Neurodevelopmental Centre, Centre for Addiction and Mental HealthAzrieli Adult Neurodevelopmental Centre, Centre for Addiction and Mental HealthAzrieli Adult Neurodevelopmental Centre, Centre for Addiction and Mental HealthAzrieli Adult Neurodevelopmental Centre, Centre for Addiction and Mental HealthAzrieli Adult Neurodevelopmental Centre, Centre for Addiction and Mental HealthAzrieli Adult Neurodevelopmental Centre, Centre for Addiction and Mental HealthAbstract Background As the healthcare of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) shifts toward community-based services, physicians in all areas of medicine are more likely to care for this population. To ensure that all physicians can provide high-quality care to people with IDD, further understanding and attention to undergraduate medical education related to IDD is needed. Methods A 24-item survey assessed the experiences, attitudes, knowledge, skills, and future interest of Canadian medical students regarding IDD. Descriptive statistics were calculated for questionnaire responses and responses of students who had more in-depth experience were compared to those of students with minimal past experience. Results A total of 443 Canadian medical students completed the survey. Students did not feel competent obtaining clear histories from people with IDD. Most students were not confident they could provide quality care to this population but wanted further learning. Students with prior IDD experiences through family/friends felt more knowledgeable and interested in caring for this population than those with community/clinical and minimal experiences. Discussion Many Canadian medical students lack the knowledge and skills needed to adequately care for people with IDD. Despite this, a majority of students were interested in further learning opportunities to improve care for people with IDD. These findings underscore the necessity of evaluating the current medical curriculum and implementing measures to better prepare students to care for this population.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-024-06482-zIntellectual disabilitydevelopmental disabilitymedical educationclinical curriculummedical students
spellingShingle Gabriel Tarzi
Alyssa Yip
Muhammad Irfan Jiwa
Anupam Thakur
Soumya Mishra
Laura Koch
Olivia Mendoza
Amandi Perera
Lachina Mckenzie
Yona Lunsky
Experiences, attitudes, and knowledge of medical students regarding intellectual and developmental disability: a Canadian study
BMC Medical Education
Intellectual disability
developmental disability
medical education
clinical curriculum
medical students
title Experiences, attitudes, and knowledge of medical students regarding intellectual and developmental disability: a Canadian study
title_full Experiences, attitudes, and knowledge of medical students regarding intellectual and developmental disability: a Canadian study
title_fullStr Experiences, attitudes, and knowledge of medical students regarding intellectual and developmental disability: a Canadian study
title_full_unstemmed Experiences, attitudes, and knowledge of medical students regarding intellectual and developmental disability: a Canadian study
title_short Experiences, attitudes, and knowledge of medical students regarding intellectual and developmental disability: a Canadian study
title_sort experiences attitudes and knowledge of medical students regarding intellectual and developmental disability a canadian study
topic Intellectual disability
developmental disability
medical education
clinical curriculum
medical students
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-024-06482-z
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