Assessing Familiarity and Comfortability of Phase 2 SKMC Students in Working with the Intellectually Disabled Population

Authors

Lily N. Dudash, Thomas Jefferson UniversityFollow
Jessica Tomaszewski, MD, Nemours Children’s Hospital, Wilmington, DEFollow
Talia Gillespie, Nemours Children’s Hospital, Wilmington, DE
Katie Labgold, PhD, MPH, Nemours Children’s Hospital, Wilmington, DE

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Description

Purpose: People living with an intellectual or developmental disability (IDD) are at increased risk of poor health outcomes due to inadequate access to quality healthcare. Literature suggests that trainees are underprepared to adjust their clinical practice to treat these patients, which may implicate undergraduate medical education curriculum. This study assessed the comfortability of SKMC students who have completed Phase 2 of the JeffMD curriculum in performing clinical tasks while caring for patients with IDD, and if that comfort is affected by prior experience. We predict that students will report low levels of comfort and be engaged in an educational intervention.

Methods: Curricular assessment was performed via quantitative survey, administered to SKMC students who completed Phase 2 of the JeffMD curriculum. The survey was designed and delivered via REDCap. Survey assessment of comfortability employed matrices and other rating scales. Demographics and prior experience data were collected. Simple descriptive and non-parametric statistical testing were completed to analyze data.

Results: Students indicated the least comfort with reviewing care plans with IDD patients, adapting exam skills, and identifying comorbidities. Students with prior experience working with the IDD population were more comfortable (p=0.012). The majority of students, regardless of planned specialty, identified need and interest in curricular intervention.

Conclusions: Results indicate a lack of comfort among students in caring for patients with IDD. Prior experience reduces this deficit. This study identifies an opportunity to fill an educational gap in caring for individuals with IDD, which can lessen the burden of disparities and improve healthcare outcomes for this vulnerable population.

Publication Date

2-2-2026

Keywords

intellectual disability, medical students, clinical practice, vulnerable population

Disciplines

Medicine and Health Sciences

Comments

Presented at the 2026 AOA Research Symposium.

Recommended Citation

Dudash, Lily N.; Tomaszewski, MD, Jessica; Gillespie, Talia; and Labgold, PhD, MPH, Katie, "Assessing Familiarity and Comfortability of Phase 2 SKMC Students in Working with the Intellectually Disabled Population" (2026). Alpha Omega Alpha Research Symposium Posters. 18.
https://jdc.jefferson.edu/aoa_research_symposium_posters/18