ERIC Number: EJ1306012
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2021-Aug
Pages: 16
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1382-4996
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
The Experiences of Foundation Doctors with Dyspraxia: A Phenomenological Study
Walker, Eleanor; Shaw, Sebastian C. K.; Reed, Malcolm; Anderson, John L.
Advances in Health Sciences Education, v26 n3 p959-974 Aug 2021
Dyspraxia, otherwise known as Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), is a specific learning difficulty (SpLD). Its main difficulties manifest as problems with motor coordination, organisation, academic and social difficulties. There are now more students arriving at university with SpLDs, and, therefore, a similar rise may be expected within medical education. There has been no previous research focusing on dyspraxia in doctors. An interpretive phenomenological approach was used. Six UK foundation schools disseminated the announcements. Three participants took part in loosely structured telephone interviews regarding their experiences of undertaking medical school and foundation school with dyspraxia. These were transcribed verbatim and then thematically analysed. The themes could be split into two main categories: "Weakness and Coping Strategies" and "Perspectives of Dyspraxia". "Weakness" included: clumsiness, organisation and needing extra time. The participants focused on their "Coping Strategies" that included: Ensuring safety, adapted learning preferences and external support. "Perspectives of Dyspraxia" included: diagnosis, career choice, stigma, "normalisation" and the "difference view" or "medical deficit" view of dyspraxia. Doctors with dyspraxia often mask their difficulties through sophisticated coping strategies. These were determined and hardworking individuals who believe that their dyspraxia was a positive aspect of their identity, adopting a "difference view". They felt further education is needed about dyspraxia to change the perceived stigma. There is now a need for further research in this area.
Descriptors: Developmental Disabilities, Learning Disabilities, Psychomotor Skills, Academic Ability, Interpersonal Competence, Organization, Medical Education, Physicians, Medical Schools, Coping, Perceptual Motor Coordination, Graduate Students, Students with Disabilities
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
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Author Affiliations: N/A