Medical Students’ Perceptions, Knowledge, and Competence in Treating Neurodivergent, Disability, and Chronic Illness (NDCI) Populations: Results from a Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Globally, Neurodivergent, Disability, and Chronic Illness (NDCI) populations face significant health disparities. Lack of physician knowledge about NDCI is a key mechanism underlying these disparities. The current study aimed to describe medical students’ perceptions, knowledge, and competence regarding NDCI. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out using an online survey of medical students at a large public university with no NDCI-specific curriculum (n = 97; response rate = 18%). The survey asked about students’ perceptions, knowledge, and competence pertaining to NDCI populations. Results: Most (n = 93, 96%) indicated it is important for physicians to understand the influence of NDCI on patient health and clinical encounters. Yet, only 7 (7%) and 15 (15%) reported that the NDCI curriculum in their medical school was sufficient and they felt comfortable taking care of patients with NDCI, respectively. Most (n = 87, 90%) wanted their medical school to provide additional NDCI training. Few reported high knowledge about ableism (n = 12, 12%), self-determination (n = 7, 7%), coordinating care (n = 4, 4%) and accommodations (n = 10, 10%). Few indicated high competence in cognitive, physical, social-emotional, and other NDCI types (n = 7 – 32, 7-33%). Existing knowledge often came from personal experiences or the news and media. Conclusion: Findings demonstrated the gaps in medical education, as exemplified by medical students surveyed in one U.S. public university. Results can inform efforts to ameliorate global health disparities associated with a lack of physician knowledge about NDCI.

Curricular representation of neurogastroenterology: A survey among medical students in Germany

“…Therefore, the results of this study are not intended to judge or compare the achieved competence of participants. Instead, ratings of subjective competence are known to reflect students' confidence, attitude, and motivation 27–29 . The lack of confidence in students' self‐perceived competence to deal with a highly prevalent disorder thus raises serious concerns regarding the medical care for these patients and be a causative factor in the problems and shortcomings of medical care for IBS patients in Germany that have been documented on a large database 1,30 …”

“…Instead, ratings of subjective competence are known to reflect students' confidence, attitude, and motivation. [27][28][29] The lack of confidence in students' self-perceived competence to deal with a highly prevalent disorder thus raises serious concerns regarding the medical care for these patients and be for IBS patients in Germany that have been documented on a large database. 1,30 Finally, the overall response rate of 13.3% achieved with this online survey is lower than rates that are seen with other surveys, especially when participants have known personal relations to the subject of the survey.…”

The IJMS World Conference of Medical Student Research and an Overview of the IJMS Volume 10 Issue 2

“…Adnan Mujanovic, 1 Vincent Kipkorir, 2 Cesare Mercalli, 3 Arkadeep Dhali, 4 Purva Shah, 5 Camila Velandia, 6 Ciara Egan, 7 Mihnea-Alexandru Găman, 8 Juan C. Puyana, 9 Francisco J. Bonilla-Escobar. 10 Medical education has had a dependence on the foundation of scientific evidence in order to ensure the provision of the best patient care.…”

“…One of them is populations belong to the Globally, Neurodivergent, Disability, and Chronic Illness (NDCI) specter. 9 A group from the University of California performed a crosssectional study to check medical students' perceptions, knowledge, and competence regarding NDCI. 1 in 10 participants reported that their medical school included the NDCI population in their curriculum, but also that most of their knowledge on this cohort comes from their personal experience and media outlets and not from academical setting.…”

“…They suggested that informed efforts should be undertaken to tackle disparities in the knowledge of future physicians regarding NDCI. 9 Mental health is often stigmatized when compared to its physical counterpart. Addictive diseases, with their severe impact on mental health, are no exception to this rule.…”