Treating children with physical disabilities: a video-based educational resource using simulated participants

Abstract

Introduction: Children with physical disabilities (CWPD) have historically experienced inadequate and insensitive care across medical settings. A lack of comfort and knowledge about CWPD is prevalent amongst healthcare provider trainees. We developed a new, readily distributable educational resource about CWPD for healthcare professions students and conducted a preliminary study to determine its efficacy in addressing student attitudes towards CWPD.Methods: We collaborated with a working group of stakeholders in the disability community to develop an educational resource for healthcare students. We developed 9 short video clips (with a cumulative duration of 27 minutes) of a primary care visit using simulated participants and embedded them into a 50-minute workshop. We conducted a preliminary study of the workshop for volunteer healthcare professions students using synchronous videoconferencing. Participating students completed assessments at baseline and after the workshop. Our primary outcome measure was change in the Attitudes to Disabled Persons - Original (ATDP-O) scale.Results: Forty-nine healthcare students participated in the training session: 29 (59%) from medicine, and 21 (41%) from physician assistant or nursing programs. The materials were easy to deliver virtually. The workshop resulted in measurable changes in attitudes regarding physical disabilities, with improvement in ATDP-O scores between baseline (M=31.2, SD=8.9) and endpoint (M=34.8, SD=10.1) scores (t(49)= 3.28, p = 0.002, Cohen’s d = 0.38). Conclusions: This video-based educational resource on CWPD is readily distributable and can be delivered virtually as a workshop. In our preliminary study, the workshop improved healthcare students’ perceptions and attitudes toward CWPDs. All materials are available to view, download, or adapt by end-use instructors.