Improving medication practices for persons with intellectual and developmental disability: Educating direct support...

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Education
• Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
• Medication Management Training

Background:

• Direct support professionals (DSPs) are increasingly involved in medication administration for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).
• Nursing personnel often provide workplace training for DSPs in medication administration.
• There is a need to enhance DSPs' skills and confidence in this critical role.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present empirical data and design suggestions for improving DSPs' medication administration skills and confidence.
• To evaluate the impact of simulations, debriefing, and reflective practice on DSP training.
• To explore DSPs' desire for deeper understanding beyond basic medication dispensing.

Main Methods:

• Implementation of in-service training incorporating hands-on simulations and debriefing.
• Inclusion of written reflective practice as part of the continuing education.
• Quantitative assessment of skill levels and confidence pre- and post-simulation.
• Qualitative exploration of DSPs' perspectives on medication administration.

Main Results:

• Quantitative data showed statistically significant increases in DSPs' skill levels and confidence after simulations (general medication management: -4.5, p < 0.001; gastrointestinal medication management: -4.4, p < 0.001).
• Qualitative findings revealed DSPs' desire to understand the medical processes, causalities, and consequences of medication administration.
• The integrated training approach was acknowledged by DSPs to improve their competence.

Conclusions:

• Hands-on simulations, debriefing, and reflective practice significantly enhance DSPs' medication administration skills and confidence.
• DSPs seek a comprehensive understanding of medications, not just procedural execution.
• Recommendations are provided for integrating these methods into continuing education for DSPs.