Closing the Gap in IDD Care: New E-Learning Program Empowers Primary Care Providers

New modules equip NPs and PAs to improve outcomes for vulnerable populations.

The Golisano Institute for Developmental Disability Nursing has launched an innovative e-learning program designed to educate Advanced Practice Professionals (APPs) working in primary care residency programs. Developed in collaboration with subject matter experts and funded by the Special Olympics Inclusive Health Grant, this program addresses a critical gap in healthcare education.

Patients with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) have unique needs that can create communication difficulties and challenging situations. Yet, nursing education and primary care residency programs often lack specialized educational content on caring for individuals with IDD. This gap leaves the workforce largely unprepared, contributing to poorer health outcomes for this population. The new, first-of-its-kind program, Inclusive Health Education for Postgraduate Primary Care Residency Programs, aims to change that.

This asynchronous, evidence-informed curriculum incorporates current best practices for IDD care through expert-led videos, opportunities for reflection, knowledge checks, case study analysis, and guidance on creating SMART goals and system-level action plans. The eight modules cover essential topics such as pediatrics, reproductive care, and psychopharmacology for patients with IDD, equipping primary care providers to deliver comprehensive, patient-centered, accessible, and high-quality care.

Participants report that the program will help them provide better care to all patients and inspire meaningful changes in their practice. One shared, “I find [the] case studies and watching how experienced clinicians navigate ‘difficult patient visits’ very helpful and practice-changing.”

Residency sites currently implementing the program include Montefiore Medical Group in New York City, DePaul Community Health Center in New Orleans, and Petaluma Health Center in California. Lee Health in Florida and Highland Family Medicine in Rochester, NY, have also implemented the program with medical residents.

For detailed module descriptions and program content, visit the Golisano Institute website. Residency program leadership interested in adopting the curriculum can contact the Institute at GolisanoInstitute@sjf.edu.