Journal Article

A re-design of intellectual disability undergraduate medical training and implementation of an e-learning tool; improving students’ knowledge, skills and attitudes

Jaydeokar, Sujeet, Odiyoor, Mahesh, Harpin, Gemma, Challinor, Alexander, Cawson, Alys, Crouch, Matthew Alan, Hewitt, Natalie, Davies, Tony

2025

Overview

Purpose People with intellectual disability face extensive health inequality and premature mortality. Medical students have reported that they lack the skills, knowledge and confidence to work with those with intellectual disability and autism. This emphasises the need for tomorrow’s doctors to be adequately trained. This study aims to investigate students’ knowledge, skills and attitudes towards people with intellectual disability and autism, examining whether these outcomes change following curricula re-design and with implementation of an e-learning module. Design/methodology/approach The university curricula in intellectual disability and autism were re-designed and an e-learning module developed using co-production. This was delivered to fourth-year medical students with a subgroup receiving the additional e-learning. A controlled trial evaluated students’ knowledge, skills and attitudes using pre- and post-questionnaires. Statistical tests of difference were used to the scores obtained. Findings This study showed an improvement in knowledge, skills and attitudes with intellectual disability and autism after curricula engagement, with an incremental benefit observed for students also completing the e-learning module. There was significant difference in pre-and-post placement scores assessing student attitudes towards intellectual disability and autism teaching. Originality/value This study highlights the importance of a multi-faceted, co-produced curricula re-design in intellectual disability and autism. The benefit of the e-learning module holds hope that the newly introduced mandatory Oliver McGowan training will be beneficial in the development of tomorrow’s doctors. Effective training in intellectual disability and autism is vital to improve the care and support delivered and reduce unnecessary deaths.

• Publisher: Emerald Publishing Limited,Emerald Group Publishing Limited
• Subject: Access to Health Care / Attitudes / Autism / Autism Spectrum Disorders / CAI / Clinical Experience / College students / Computer assisted instruction / Curricula / Curriculum Design / Curriculum development / Deaths / Disability recipients / Distance learning / Educational Environment / Educational Needs / Electronic Learning / Health behavior / Health disparities / Health Education / Health Needs / Health Services / Higher education / Implementation / Inequality / Intellectual disabilities / Intellectual Disability / Intellectually disabled people / Internet / Knowledge / Learner Engagement / Learning / Learning disabilities / Learning disabled people / Learning Modules / Learning Processes / Medical Care Evaluation / Medical education / Medical Schools / Medical students / Mental Health / Online instruction / Opportunities / Outcomes of Education / Patients / People with disabilities / Physicians / Premature mortality / Psychiatry / Scores / Skills / Student attitudes / Students / Teaching / Training / Work skills