Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial of Disability Education Module During Clinical Clerkship

Abstract

The effect of a randomized disability education program on medical student knowledge and attitudes concerning disability was performed. Intervention group received bedside teaching of physical examination/interview skills and case-based discussion. Twenty-three participants completed the study (control group n = 11; intervention group n = 12). Pre-clerkship, 39% of all participants reported no personal experience and 43% reported no professional experience with people with disabilities. Post-clerkship knowledge was higher for both groups; the test of group-by-time interaction was not significant. Qualitative analysis of post-clerkship attitude responses demonstrated that intervention group gave more detailed answers. Intervention group used terms representing functional aspects of disability twice as frequently as control group. Intervention group responses described long-term experience of a disability within community and family; control group responses focused on acute medical management. Participation in disability education resulted in changed attitude toward disability and better understanding of aspects of disability.