All teach, all learn: transdisciplinary health professional education on care for persons with intellectual/developmental disabilities.

Abstract

People with intellectual and developmental disabilities experience many barriers to healthcare. To address these barriers and the unique needs of this population, improved training and education for health providers, particularly training that includes persons with lived experience and that teaches interprofessional collaboration, are needed. This study applied a framework to examine the value identified in reflections of program educators for a three-week Extension for Community Health Outcomes for Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (ECHO-AIDD for Students) program to teach an interprofessional group of students from health and social care disciplines about caring for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The learning activities associated with the ECHO-AIDD for Students provided immediate value for educators and students. The potential value of participation was highlighted through the development of knowledge capital, particularly the social capital associated with connecting with an interprofessional group of students and educators. Applied and realized value was suggested by embracing a humble epistemology, recognizing the wisdom provided by all participants, and the flattening of social and professional hierarchies experienced by participants. Finally, reframing value was noted by recognizing that ECHO-AIDD for Students was a vibrant collective learning approach for interprofessional education. The three-week ECHO-AIDD for Students is a valuable opportunity for health and social care students to learn about adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities. These results also suggest that the ECHO model can be a platform for teaching health professionals how to engage in transdisciplinary practices recommended for effective healthcare.