Title
Clinician perspectives on the need for training on caring for pregnant women with intellectual and developmental disabilities
UMMS Affiliation
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology; School of Medicine; Senior Scholars Program
Faculty Mentor
Tiffany A. Moore Simas
Publication Date
2021-12-17
Document Type
Article
Disciplines
Disability Studies | Female Urogenital Diseases and Pregnancy Complications | Maternal and Child Health | Medical Education | Obstetrics and Gynecology | Women's Health
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Women with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDDs) experience disparities in obstetric care access and quality, in addition to communication gaps with healthcare providers. Many obstetric providers are untrained and uneducated about critical aspects of providing care to persons with IDDs.
OBJECTIVE: The study was conducted to describe obstetric clinicians' training experiences related to providing obstetric care to women with IDDs, to assess the perceived need for formalized training, and to identify recommendations for training content.
METHODS: This study involved qualitative individual interviews (n = 9) and one focus group (n = 8) with obstetric clinicians who self-reported experience caring for women with IDDs during pregnancy. Descriptive coding and content analysis techniques were used to develop an iterative codebook related to education and training; codes were applied to the data. Coded data were analyzed for larger themes and relationships.
RESULTS: Analysis revealed three main themes: 1. Need for obstetric training and education: No participant reported receiving any training in caring for pregnant women with IDDs. Participants expressed a need for formal education. 2. Recommendations for formal training: Participants noted the need for training during residency and beyond, and all healthcare staff members should be included in training. 3. Training outcomes should increase knowledge, enhance attitudes, and develop practical skills related to care for pregnant women with IDDs.
CONCLUSION: Results indicate a need for systematic training efforts regarding obstetric care for women with IDDs. Improved training and education may decrease health inequities and improve the quality of care, and thus pregnancy outcomes, for women with IDDs.
LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: VI.
Keywords
Intellectual disability, Pregnancy, Obstetrics, Training, Medical education, Graduate medical education
DOI of Published Version
10.1016/j.dhjo.2021.101262
Source
Amir N, Smith L, Valentine AM, Mitra M, Parish SL, Moore Simas TA. Clinician perspectives on the need for training on caring for pregnant women with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Disabil Health J. 2021 Dec 17:101262. doi: 10.1016/j.dhjo.2021.101262. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 35031269.
Journal/Book/Conference Title
Disability and health journal
Related Resources
This data was previously presented in a poster for the 2021 Senior Scholars Program at UMass Medical School.
PubMed ID
35031269
Repository Citation
Amir NS, Smith L, Valentine AM, Mitra M, Parish SL, Moore Simas TA. (2021). Clinician perspectives on the need for training on caring for pregnant women with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Senior Scholars Program. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dhjo.2021.101262. Retrieved from https://escholarship.umassmed.edu/ssp/308
Comments
Nili S. Amir participated in this study as a medical student in the Senior Scholars research program at the University of Massachusetts Medical School.