Bridging the Gap: Improving Health Outcomes for Adults With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

Individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) are often affected by multisystem diseases and are considered medically complex. Due to their high need for care coordination, these patients frequently experience health disparities that lead to higher morbidity. A comprehensive primary care approach can lead to improved health outcomes through health promotion and disease prevention.

We implemented a 60-minute interactive workshop for medical students, internal medicine and pediatric residents, and faculty physicians to increase familiarity with the care of adult patients with IDD and complex medical needs. The workshop consisted of a PowerPoint presentation that included interactive polling and an interactive case study. The workshop was implemented at 2 professional conferences and at the Rutgers New Jersey Medical School Medical Education Conference.

There was a total of 30 participants. Comparison of responses to pre- and postworkshop questionnaires showed a statistically significant (P < .001) improvement in participants' confidence regarding their ability to define disability, familiarity with the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) model, knowing what entails medical complexity, caring for patients with IDD and complex medical needs, and familiarity with health disparities experienced by patients with IDD. Participants valued the workshop's interactive and engaging nature, particularly the case discussion and application of the ICF model.

This workshop offered an interactive and effective method for increasing trainees' and faculty's knowledge of caring for patients with IDD, reinforcing the importance of comprehensive and longitudinal primary care assessments to minimize health disparities in this patient population.