Self-Advocates/Family Advocates as Medical Educators (SAME/FAME)
Project Description:
People with disabilities make up approximately 19% of the population, and about 5% of this group include people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). These vulnerable people experience disparities in healthcare access and more pronounced negative health outcomes compared to the population without disabilities. People with I/DD experience higher rates of illness and chronic health conditions such as diabetes and chronic pain (unrelated to their disabilities) than people without I/ DD. Despite their high rates of illness and chronic health conditions, people with I/DD are less likely to receive preventive care, screenings, or be involved in public health promotion programs.
Patients with I/DD often require interventions from multiple disciplines to address their complex health needs, and may benefit from services and community supports in various healthcare and governmental systems. However, healthcare professionals frequently do not have training or experience with inter-professional collaborative practices. Even students trained in collaborative teamwork may not know how best to communicate with or move individuals with I/DD. Healthcare professionals may not understand how to include patients with I/DD and their family members ,who often provide long-term care for their relatives with I/DD, in the care plan. This hybrid training program will provide collaborative, interdisciplinary coursework via web-based and onsite didactic course material, simulation exercises, reflection activities, and assignments to improve the knowledge, skills, and attitudes of students from multiple health disciplines in delivery of Patient and Family Centered Care to patients with I/DD. The intent will be to move beyond discipline/profession-specific education efforts to engage in interactive learning with each other, medical providers, and self-advocates with disabilities.
Self-advocates and family advocates will play a key role in planning, presenting, and evaluating the program. The course will employ a Team-Based Learning pedagogy, an evidence-based learning-
Core Function(s):
Training Trainees, Performing Research or Evaluation, Continuing Education/Community Training
Area of Emphasis
Quality of Life
Target Audience:
Community Trainees / Short term trainees, Professionals and Para-Professionals, Family Members/Caregivers, Adults with Disabilities
Unserved or Under-served Populations:
Racial or Ethnic Minorities, Disadvantaged Circumstances, Geographic Areas, Rural/Remote, Specific Groups
Primary Target Audience Geographic Descriptor:
Mulit-County, State, Regional
COVID-19 Related Data:
N/A
