Lillian Navarro-Reynolds, MS, PA-C, is Associate Professor and Director of Academic Education for the PA Program at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) School of Medicine.

People with intellectual and developmental disabilities (PWIDD) face unique hurdles in accessing health care, including communication barriers, inaccessible environments and even prejudiced attitudes.

To address these issues, Lillian Navarro-Reynolds, MS, PA-C, Rhonda Eppelsheimer, MSW, and Sarah Drummond, MAT, MS, Ed.D, launched a three-part educational series for first-year PA students. This collaboration between the Oregon Health & Science University School of Medicine PA Program and the University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD) equips PA students with the knowledge and skills to better serve PWIDD.

The program – now in its fifth year – has evolved based on feedback from learners and participants. The program is a significant advancement in health care education. It promotes inclusivity and aims to improve health care outcomes for PWIDD.

“PA students reported that they gained a deeper understanding of the obstacles faced by patients with disabilities when accessing health care,” Navarro-Reynolds said. “They also feel more comfortable caring for this population.”

Sessions are comprised of an introductory best practices lecture by Eppelsheimer and Jan Stahely, who is a communication specialist with UCEDD. Stahely lives with cerebral palsy and uses an assistive device for lecturing. Additionally, there is a panel discussion featuring PWIDD across various life stages and interactive clinical role-play sessions with advocates who have firsthand experience with disabilities.

“The program places a strong emphasis on centering the experiences of PWIDD and working collaboratively to address these challenges,” Navarro-Reynolds said. “This collaboration with faculty and patient advocates ensures that the program recognizes, addresses and proposes solutions.”

Navarro-Reynolds highlighted the active involvement of PWIDD, who serve as instructors, contribute to curriculum design, participate in panel discussions and offer feedback for quality improvement.

Among the key recommendations for PA programs are suggestions to use resources at their University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, incorporate PWIDD in their practice, and prioritize effective communication and build strong patient partnership.

Navarro-Reynolds plans to collect more data to assess the program’s effectiveness and expand the curriculum to include physical examination training. She also emphasized the importance of integrating diverse perspectives to ensure holistic care for PWIDD.

“Empowering PWIDD to direct their care planning is key,” Eppelsheimer added, “as they prefer to be central to these discussions.”

March is National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness about developmental disabilities and the importance of inclusion.

Lillian Navarro-Reynolds, MS, PA-C, is Associate Professor and Director of Academic Education for the PA Program at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) School of Medicine.

Rhonda Eppelsheimer, MSW, is the Director of the University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, Division of Pediatrics, Institute on Development and Disability at OHSU.

Sarah Drummond, MAT, MS, Ed.D is Associate Professor and Director of Research and Assessment for the Division of PA Education at OHSU.