The Disability-Related Education and Training Experiences of Perinatal Care Providers in Ontario

Lesley A Tarasoff; Yona Lunsky; Kate Welsh; Susan M Havercamp; Simone N Vigod; Hilary K Brown

doi:10.1016/j.jogc.2023.05.032

The Disability-Related Education and Training Experiences of Perinatal Care Providers in Ontario

J Obstet Gynaecol Can. 2023 Aug;45(8):581-586. doi: 10.1016/j.jogc.2023.05.032. Epub 2023 Jun 2.

Authors

Lesley A Tarasoff¹, Yona Lunsky², Kate Welsh³, Susan M Havercamp⁴, Simone N Vigod⁵, Hilary K Brown⁶

Affiliations

¹ Department of Health and Society, University of Toronto Scarborough, Scarborough, ON; Azrieli Adult Neurodevelopmental Centre, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON.
² Azrieli Adult Neurodevelopmental Centre, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON; Department of Psychiatry, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON.
³ Department of Health and Society, University of Toronto Scarborough, Scarborough, ON.
⁴ Nisonger Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA.
⁵ Department of Psychiatry, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON; Women's College Hospital and Research Institute, Toronto, ON.
⁶ Department of Health and Society, University of Toronto Scarborough, Scarborough, ON; Department of Psychiatry, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON; Women's College Hospital and Research Institute, Toronto, ON; Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON. Electronic address: hk.brown@utoronto.ca.

PMID: 37271344
DOI: 10.1016/j.jogc.2023.05.032

Abstract

We describe the disability-related education and training experiences of perinatal care providers in Ontario. Twenty perinatal care providers (e.g., obstetricians, midwives) participated in semi-structured interviews. Using a content analysis approach, we found most acquired disability-related training through their own initiative as opposed to education through professional training programs. Barriers to training included lack of data on disability and pregnancy and limited experiential learning opportunities. Providers recommended that future training focus on experiential learning and social determinants of health, with people with disabilities involved in developing and delivering training. These efforts are vital to optimize pregnancy outcomes for people with disabilities.

Keywords: education; midwifery; obstetrics; perinatal care; persons with disability; qualitative research.

MeSH terms

Child
Female
Humans
Infant, Newborn
Midwifery*
Ontario
Perinatal Care*
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Outcome
Qualitative Research