DVD-based stories of people with developmental disabilities as resources for inter-professional education

Abstract

Purpose. The use of DVD stories about people with developmental disabilities within inter-professional education (IPE) across healthcare disciplines was evaluated.

Methods. First year healthcare students (n == 241) from an IPE unit responded to an attitude scale before and after viewing and discussing a DVD portraying the life and healthcare needs of an adult with cerebral palsy; a third round of data collection occurred later. Qualitative data were obtained from four first year and six second year tutors who discussed student reactions to the DVD. Six first year and four second year students participated in focus groups following viewing of a second DVD, about a young girl with developmental disabilities and complex health needs.

Results. ANOVA of the attitude scores did not show significant differences from pre- to post-viewing and discussion of the DVD, nor at a third round of data collection. Qualitative analysis revealed that the DVDs did cause students to shift assumptions, perceptions and understanding of the disabilities depicted, and to learn about their own and other professions.

Conclusions. DVD scenarios of real people with developmental disabilities in real settings offer a means of providing IPE opportunities. The data also point to the need and directions for the development of a new attitudinal measure.

Keywords:

• Inter-professional education
• developmental disabilities
• allied health

Acknowledgements

Thanks are extended to Mr. Brett Williams, Dr. Ted Brown, Dr. Tsharni Zazryn and Professor Jenny Keating for assistance in recruiting participants, and Ms. Kim Trezise for research assistance.

Declaration of interest: This study was conducted with funding through a Strategic Grant awarded by the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University in 2007. A version of the study was presented at the Australasian Society for the Study of Intellectual Disabilities Conference, Melbourne, November, 2008 and the International Association for the Scientific Study of Intellectual Disabilities Asia Pacific Regional Conference, Singapore, June, 2009.