Preservice Health Training Project
National and state authorities have identified provision of healthcare to individuals with developmental disabilities as a highly significant need, particularly in rural areas. They have urged a renewed training commitment at the pre-service level to prepare healthcare providers to make available high quality care for this population. The Commonwealth’s legislatively mandated current Ten Year Plan for Services for Persons with Mental Retardation and Other Developmental Disabilities indicates a high level of need for medical expertise in dealing with individuals with mental retardation or developmental disabilities who also have intensive medical support needs. Failure to provide them with adequate healthcare has reduced their independence, lowered their rates of employment and quality of life, and led to the frequent occurrence of preventable secondary conditions.
Preservice Health Training for Patients with Developmental Disabilities
Harold Kleinert, of UK’s Interdisciplinary Human Development Institute, has responded by creating the Preservice Health Training Project. Its goal is to train future physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and dentists to increase their knowledge of developmental disabilities and provide an understanding of the specific adaptations required to address the healthcare needs of patients with these disabilities.
The project links UK’s Colleges of Nursing, Dentistry, Medicine, and Health Sciences with the University of Louisville College of Medicine, the Eastern Kentucky University Department of Nursing, and Spaulding University. The project is developing interactive modules that include presentations of "Virtual Patients" (CD-based case studies) designed to teach medical, nursing, physician assistant, and dental students how to communicate with and provide care to patients with developmental disabilities and their families. These modules are designed to be embedded into existing coursework.
Actions and Outcomes to Date
The program has expanded the number of Kentucky colleges and universities incorporating the Preservice Health Training Project modules into their curriculum. UK, Morehead State, and Eastern Kentucky now use modules with their undergraduate Nursing students. UK, EKU, and Spalding use the modules with their graduate Nurse Practitioner students. UK and Marietta College use modules with Physician Assistant students. The University of Louisville (UL) and West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine use the modules with Medical School students. UK and UL use the modules with dental students. The modules also provide a means by which current clinicians can develop their critical skills.
Effectiveness studies of the modules are ongoing or completed. A Women’s Health module for individuals with intellectual disabilities has been developed and piloted. Acceptance of the effectiveness studies has been applied for or approved by the American Academy of Physician Assistants, the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, and the American Osteopathic Association.
Continuing Medical Education units have been approved by the American Academy of Physician Assistants, the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, and the American Dental Association.
Discussion is ongoing for inclusion of the medical, nursing, and dental schools in Great Britain.