Evaluating Medical Student Perceptions of the ADEPT-CARE Protocol Through Remote, Self-Directed Learning

Individuals with disabilities represent the largest minority group in the United States, yet they face significant barriers to accessing healthcare, resulting in notable health disparities. Despite the high prevalence of disabilities in patient populations, standardized disability training is often absent from undergraduate medical curricula. The "ADEPT-CARE" protocol is an educational framework developed to enhance the ability of medical trainees to interact effectively with disabled patients. Prior pilot studies have shown that the ADEPT-CARE protocol, included in an elective course for pre-clinical medical students, improves their perceptions and confidence in caring for disabled patients.

From April 2022 to September 2023, medical students at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine participated in the ADEPT-CARE training. Participants, including students from all years of study, completed a pre-module survey, watched an ADEPT-CARE teaching video, and completed a post-module survey within 24 hours. The training was conducted remotely and was self-directed. Statistical analysis of the pre- and post-survey responses was performed using nonparametric Wilcoxon signed-rank tests to assess changes in student perceptions and confidence.

A total of 40 students completed the training. Among them, 12.5% identified as having a disability, while 50% reported having a family member with a disability. Post-training, students demonstrated a statistically significant increase in confidence regarding the assessment of patients with disabilities (p = 0.0005) and were more likely to employ a consistent approach during patient encounters (p < 0.001). Additionally, students felt more capable of providing equitable care to patients with disabilities (p = 0.0002).

The study indicates that self-directed, remote exposure to the ADEPT-CARE protocol can enhance medical students' confidence in treating patients with disabilities. Future research should explore the protocol's effectiveness in clinical settings and its feasibility during simulated patient encounters. The ADEPT-CARE protocol proves to be an effective method for integrating disability-focused training into undergraduate medical education.