Testing interactive CDRoms of communication skills for working with people with learning disabilities

Moore, Lesley; Scarborough, Kim

Abstract

There is evidence to show that UK health professionals need to improve how they care for people with learning disabilities. Reports from MENCAP have highlighted professionals lack of knowledge and skills about learning disabilities resulting in poor healthcare and what they consider to be institutional discrimination in the NHS resulting in the untimely deaths of people with learning disabilities (MENCAP 2007). Micheal (2008) recommends mandatory training in learning disabilities as a way to start addressing professionals learning needs. This project evaluated the effectiveness of learning objects co-developed with people with learning disabilities and their family carers. The learning objects (LOs) were developed for USA healthcare students and are widely used there. The LOs were tested in three English universities where dentist, professionals allied to dentistry and nurse programmes where taught. Pre and post tests were completed by students who used the LO with data collection focusing on changes in students knowledge, skills and perceptions of how difficult they felt working with people with learning disabilities was in described situations. Although the sample size was small (n25) results mirror those obtained in previous studies using the same LOs in the USA. LO need to be adapted to reflect UK language, policy and service provision and it is suggested that the co-development of LO with people with learning disabilities for the UK market should be pursued.

• Report Type: Project Report
• Peer Reviewed: Not Peer Reviewed
• Keywords: communication skills, IT, learning disabilities, interactive CD Roms
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/987095