Medical students attitudes towards patients with disability: a scale validation study

Abstract

Background Disparities in health outcomes among persons with disabilities (PWD) are influenced by preventable factors including negative attitudes and discriminatory practices of healthcare professionals and the limited training of medical students in working with PWD. Objective The purpose of this study was to validate the “Medical Students’ Attitudes Towards Patients with Disabilities” (MSA-PWD) scale among Lebanese medical students and identify associated factors. Method A scale validation study was conducted as part of the standard internal evaluation process at the medical school, using a cross-sectional design based on a qualitative content validity process, involving students from years 1 to 4. The study included questions from previous tools, and others encouraging students to reflect on their encounters with PWD and share their insights. Statistical procedures were applied to assess the reliability and validity of the tool, including construct validity, convergent validity, known-group validity, and trend analysis. Results After a careful selection of the related items, the MSA-PWD scale demonstrated high construct validity and internal consistency, along with good convergent validity and known-group validity. Factor 1 of the scale was able to differentiate between different enrollment years of medical students, correlating with the self-assessment tool for confidence in dealing with PWD and clinical experience scenarios. Conclusion The “Medical Students’ Attitudes Towards Patients with Disabilities” scale validated in this study is a comprehensive instrument that can distinguish between different medical school enrollment classes. The newly developed scale was valid, and reliable. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12909-024-06238-9.