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Medical Students' Attitudes towards Health Care for People with Intellectual Disabilities: A Qualitative Study

Authors :
Ryan, Travis A.
Scior, Katrina
Source :
Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities. Nov 2016 29(6):508-518.
Publication Year :
2016

Abstract

Background: People with intellectual disabilities experience serious health inequalities (e.g. they die younger than people without intellectual disabilities). Medical students' attitudes towards health care for this population warrant empirical attention because, as tomorrow's doctors, they will affect the health inequalities that people with intellectual disabilities experience. Materials and Methods: This study investigated these attitudes by interviewing 17 medical students about medical students' attitudes towards people with intellectual disabilities and thematically analysing resultant qualitative data. Results: Key themes were identified, such as medical students' worries about working with patients with intellectual disabilities, and their wish for more medical teaching on, and direct experience with, this patient group. Conclusions: This study suggests that medical schools need to better prepare medical students for their roles as providers of health care to people with intellectual disabilities by, for example, enhancing their attitudes towards health care for people with intellectual disabilities.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
1360-2322
Volume :
29
Issue :
6
Database :
ERIC
Journal :
Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
EJ1116450
Document Type :
Journal Articles<br />Reports - Research
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1111/jar.12206