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Cited by 65Empathy and Medical EducationInnovations in Medical EducationInclusion and Disability in Education and Sport

Patient narratives as a teaching tool: a pilot study of first-year medical students and patient educators affected by Intellectual/Developmental disabilities

Coret, Alon, Boyd, Kerry, Hobbs, Kevin, Zazulak, Joyce, McConnell, Meghan·2018·Teaching and Learning in Medicine
DOI 10.1080/10401334.2017.1398653
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Abstract

PROBLEM: People with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) face complex biopsychosocial challenges and are medically underserved. This is in part due to insufficient resources and supports but can also be attributed to a lack of adequate physician training in addressing the unique needs of this population. INTERVENTION: This study aimed to introduce 1st-year medical students to the IDD population using a blended educational experience that included video narratives of and direct interactions with people affected by IDD. The goal of this intervention was to promote person-centered attitudes and communication among early medical trainees. CONTEXT: The study recruited 27 first-year medical students and randomly assigned each to 1 of 2 groups. The control group received an introductory video lecture about IDD healthcare, followed by a quiz. The narrative group received the same lecture, followed by reflective discussion of videos featuring people living with IDD sharing their perspectives and stories. All students then participated in 4 simulated clinical encounters with patient educators (PEs) who have lived experiences of IDD. Focus groups were conducted with students following the simulated encounters to explore their experiences and perceptions of this blended learning activity. Moreover, secondary quantitative data were collected to assess students' performance in the clinical encounters, along with self-reports of comfort, confidence, and competence of interacting with people with IDD (pre- and postparticipation). OUTCOME: All students thought that the blended educational experience was valuable and enjoyable, commenting on the importance of adaptable language and engagement of people with IDD, as well as the merits of reflecting on patient narratives. Students also discussed feelings of discomfort stemming from a lack of knowledge and previous exposure to IDD and how this discomfort might motivate them to learn more and develop their skills further. In addition, descriptive analyses revealed that students in the narrative group showed greater self-rated measures of comfort, confidence, and competence compared to control; they also had higher mean performance scores across all PE interview stations. LESSONS LEARNED: PEs add a powerful real-life dimension to communication skills teaching and have been shown to be a valuable educational modality. Moreover, exposure to and reflection on video-based patient narratives are useful ways of teaching medical students about patients' lived experiences and promoting person-centered communication, both within and beyond IDD.

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  • A group of patients living with intellectual and developmental disabilities also participated in the creation of learning materials, through videos sharing their perspectives and stories.

    “A group of patients living with intellectual and developmental disabilities also participated in the creation of learning materials, through videos sharing their perspectives and stories.65”

    From Role of active patient involvement in undergraduate medical education: a systematic review (2020) · cites this paper as [65]

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Authors
Coret, A., Boyd, K., Hobbs, K., Zazulak, J., & McConnell, M.
Affiliations
McMaster University (CA)
Corresponding author
Coret, Alon
ORCID
Venue
Teaching and Learning in Medicine
Publisher
Informa UK Limited
Published
2017-12-28
Volume
30
Issue
3
Pages
317-327
ISSN
  • 1040-1334 (ISSN-L)
  • 1532-8015
DOI
10.1080/10401334.2017.1398653
OpenAlex
W2777160107
Cited by
65
References
40
Citations by year
2026: 7 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 14 · 2023: 9 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 8 · 2020: 8 · 2019: 6
FWCI
3.15
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Teaching and Learning in Medicine (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
AMS Phoenix Project Fellowship Grant (n/a)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Empathy and Medical Education
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Innovations in Medical Education
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Inclusion and Disability in Education and Sport
Keywords
intellectual and developmental disabilities, patient narratives, medical students, person-centred communication, patient educators, lived experience, video narratives, physician training, reflective learning
MeSH terms
Narrative Medicine, Adult, Clinical Competence, Education, Medical, Undergraduate, Female, Disabled Persons, Persons with Disabilities, Humans, Male, Pilot Projects, Teaching, Focus Groups, Young Adult

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