RUSH Research Team
Sarah H. Ailey, Principal Investigator, RUSH University College of Nursing
Janice Odiaga, Co-Investigator, RUSH University Office of Interprofessional Education
Molly Bathje, Co-Investigator, RUSH University College of Health Sciences
Tricia Johnson, Co-Investigator, RUSH University College of Health Sciences
Award Period
9/1/2020 - 8/31/2025
Funding Source
Administration For Community Living
90DNHE0001-01-00
Abstract
Persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities (ID/DD) experience severe health disparities and are not considered a medically underserved population. The Partnering to Transform Health Outcomes with Persons with ID/DD (PATH-PWIDD) Consortium has five core partner institutions: Rush University, the University of Illinois at Chicago, St. John Fisher College Golisano Institute for Developmental Disability Nursing, and the University of Minnesota Institute on Community Integration. The PATH-PWIDD Consortium has three Action Networks and a Cross-Sector Steering committee that include advocates with ID/DD, family members, caregivers, healthcare education and practice leaders, community organizations, and accreditation, licensing, and financial experts.
Our goal is to develop high impact inclusive curricular materials, and standardized practice experiences for integration into Interprofessional Education and Practice (IPE) programs at our core partner institutions and then disseminated to 30 other institutions training 15,000 students over 5 years. The Collective Impact Model guides our approach uniting cross-sector partners with a common agenda for innovative change.
The project duration is five years and our objectives are to1) Formulate a common agenda, understanding of problems, and collective vision for change in IPE programs 2) Develop materials for the IPE programs that are informed by the partnership with advocates with ID/DD, using an iterative participatory process 3) Develop a repository/clearinghouse of existing resources to support the project goal and objectives and current and future ID/DD IPE programs; 4) evaluate and then disseminate the materials to 30 additional IPE programs.
Anticipated student outcomes include improved knowledge, competencies, and skills in caring for persons with ID/D. Our product will be evidence-based materials for widespread dissemination to IPE programs or as part of any health care professional program curriculum.