Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2021 Feb 27. doi: 10.1097/PHM.0000000000001740. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To evaluate and compare the efficacy of an online and a traditionally delivered undergraduate elective courses in improving medical students’ disability related knowledge and attitudes.
METHODS: A randomized controlled design was implemented. Participants were medical students randomly assigned into summer 8-week disability and the society (OT100) online course, OT100 traditional course, or Wellness and Life Styles (PT100) control. Demographics were collected in addition to participants’ level disability knowledge and Attitudes Toward People with Disability scale scores (ATDP) one week prior to the semester and one week after it. Multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) using general linear model (GLM) was conducted to evaluate groups’ differences in main outcome measures.
RESULTS: In total, 198 undergraduate medical students successfully completed the study conditions; OT100 online (n = 74), OT100 traditional (n = 59), and PT100 (n = 65). OT100 groups (traditional and online) change scores were statistical similar for disability knowledge (p = 0.966) and attitudes (p = 0.705) but significantly better (p < 0.001) than the control group.
CONCLUSIONS: OT100 course delivered traditionally or regular appeared effective in improving medical students’ disability knowledge and ATDP. More studies are needed to create effective methods improving healthcare professionals’ disability related knowledge and attitudes.
PMID:33657029 | DOI:10.1097/PHM.0000000000001740
