Training Healthcare Professionals to Work With People With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.

Area of Science:

• Healthcare
• Disability Studies
• Professional Development

Background:

• Healthcare providers are essential for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).
• Understanding provider experience, comfort, and competence is crucial for improving care.
• Limited research exists on provider confidence across diverse disability types within the IDD spectrum.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess healthcare providers' experience, comfort, and competence in treating individuals with various intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).
• To identify preferred continuing education methods for professionals working with IDD populations.
• To gather suggestions for recruiting more professionals into the IDD field.

Main Methods:

• A national, web-based survey was administered to 155 healthcare providers across nine disciplines.
• Respondents rated their experience, comfort, and competence with different disability types.
• Open-ended questions explored preferred training methods and recruitment strategies.

Main Results:

• Experience, comfort, and competence were highest for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and intellectual disability (ID), and lowest for deaf-blindness.
• Provider experience levels exceeded comfort levels, which in turn exceeded competence levels.
• Day-to-day contact with individuals with IDD was identified as the most effective training venue.

Conclusions:

• Healthcare providers demonstrate varying levels of confidence depending on the specific disability within the IDD spectrum.
• Practical, hands-on experience is paramount for effective professional development in IDD care.
• Targeted strategies are needed to enhance provider competence and attract new professionals to the IDD field.