# The extent to which family doctors have the ability to deal with patients with disabilities

## TL;DR

This study assesses how well family doctors in training can care for patients with disabilities and identifies areas needing improvement.

## Contribution

The study introduces insights into the challenges and proposed solutions for training family doctors to better serve patients with disabilities.

## Key findings

- Trainee doctors have a median ability score of 2.37 in dealing with patients with disabilities.
- Positive attitudes are reported, but communication and training remain significant challenges.
- Participants suggested special education diplomas and periodic training to improve care for patients with disabilities.

## Abstract

Lack of training of health workers presents a unique challenge in meeting the needs of patients with disabilities (PWD). Therefore, the current study aimed to determine the level of medical students’ ability to deal with PWD in hospitals by knowing the IFD ‘attitudes and the challenges they face while working with this group. Additionally, the study sought to understand the intern family doctors’ (IFD) perspectives on problem-solving strategies. To achieve the study objectives, a questionnaire was designed to measure trends, challenges, and solutions to the problems facing IFD. The study sample comprised 152 doctors from various medical colleges in Riyadh. At this point, the data underwent descriptive analysis, and the ordinal alpha indicated a reliability of 0.71 for the internal consistency measure. The study found that IFD have a median ability to deal with PWD, with a median score of 2.37. IFD have positive attitudes, with a median score of 2.27. However, trainee IFD face difficulties in communication, proficiency, implementing rights and legislation, and attending special education training workshops (a median 2.21). The study found a positive correlation between solutions to these problems and the enhancement of medical students’ understanding of PWD characteristics and strategies, with a median score of 2.63. However, the multiplicity of areas in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) hinders the generalization of the results. Finally, participants recommended establishing special education diplomas and curricula for IFD’, ensuring the presence of a PWD specialist in clinics to address doctors’ challenges, and providing periodic training workshops for doctors to attend.