Learning from lived experience: Outcomes associated with students' involvement in co-designed and co-delivered recovery-oriented practice workshops

Instructional Insights: Learnings from a Case Study of Collaborating with an Individual with Lived Experience in Occupational Therapy Education

This case study shares the knowledge gained from working with an individual having lived experience of a health condition contributing toward an occupational therapy education module through the reflections of an occupational therapy academic and an individual with lived experience working in a university. The primary goal is to establish an empirical evidence base for involvement of people with lived experience in occupational therapy education and to encourage other educators and individuals with lived experience to follow this model of teaching and learning in their curricula. Based on the belief that teaching and learning through co-production creates a 'triangle' of benefit for individuals with lived experience, students and academics. Individuals with lived experience are seen as powerful, independent, and strong despite their medical condition. Students learn more about important aspects of service provision beyond direct medical and therapy knowledge and academics learn about and model this new way of working. The aim is to promote development of co-production learning activities in occupational therapy education.

Learning disability awareness training for undergraduate midwifery students: Multi-method evaluation of a co-produced and co-delivered educational intervention in England

BACKGROUND

Midwives lack the confidence and competence to identify and support people with learning disabilities, putting this population at risk of inequitable maternity care.

OBJECTIVES

To co-produce, co-deliver and evaluate maternity focused learning disability awareness training for student midwives, in collaboration with experts-by-experience (people with learning disabilities).

DESIGN

Multi-methods study evaluating the impact and acceptability of learning disability awareness training.

SETTINGS

University in south-east England, UK.

PARTICIPANTS

83 midwifery students and 7 experts-by-experience.

METHODS

Midwifery students completed pre-post training surveys and a follow-up survey 3 months post training to substantiate longer-term impact. Experts-by-experience took part in qualitative interviews post training.

RESULTS

Student-reported learning disability awareness was significantly higher across all domains post training and sustained at follow up. Students reported the most notable aspect of training was learning with and from people with learning disabilities. Three inter-related themes were constructed from interviews with experts-by-experience: reasonable adjustments to training and research processes; a positive social, emotional and learning experience; and perceptions of impact.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings from this study suggest that co-producing and co-delivering resources and education to an undergraduate midwifery workforce with people with lived experience, can have a profound impact on students and is also a positive experience for people with learning disabilities. The co-produced resources used in this training are free and accessible [https://www.surrey.ac.uk/togetherproject]. Further evaluation will explore acceptability and perceived impact of training and resources on other healthcare professionals working with maternity services.

Embracing authenticity and challenging norms: Including people with an intellectual disability as lecturers in third level intellectual disability nursing programmes

UNDERREPRESENTATION OF VOICES FROM PEOPLE WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY IN NURSE EDUCATION: In the Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom, university level programmes for intellectual disability nurses have traditionally incorporated the perspectives of people with intellectual disabilities but have been delivered by non-disabled educators. Perspectives are interpreted through the lens of the non-disabled person, with the voices of people with intellectual disabilities rarely heard. AN ALTERNATIVE APPROACH: INCLUDING PEOPLE WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY AS EDUCATORS: In this article, an alternative approach is proposed that addresses this problem by including individuals with intellectual disabilities as educators within university programmes. Such inclusion will benefit students, academics, and ultimately the individuals who will receive health and social care from these nurses. Many countries have seen legislative and policy changes promoting inclusion for people with an intellectual disability. These are welcomed, but if they are to have a meaningful impact, societal attitudes and perceptions towards people with intellectual disabilities must be challenged. Drawing upon the concepts of social reconstruction and the ideologies of Paulo Freire and John Dewey, we argue that education can catalyze societal transformation. By including individuals with intellectual disabilities as educators in undergraduate programmes, such as nursing, traditional hierarchies of educators can be challenged, and students can learn from experts with lived experiences. This approach fosters critical thinking, reflection, and the development of authentic and informed healthcare professionals. The experiences of a co-author with a lived experience of intellectual disability as an educator, highlights the positive impact of such inclusion on students' perspectives, understanding, and empathy.

The Wisdom of Hindsight: Allies Reflections on Their Role in Supporting the Implementation of Expert by Experience Positions in Academia

Experts by experience involvement in mental health education has consistently demonstrated positive attitudinal outcomes including a greater appreciation for recovery-focused practice. Mental health academic allies have played a crucial role in supporting implementation of expert by experience academic positions. To date the inclusion of their views in research is limited. The aim of this study was to explore and present allies' reflections on their involvement in supporting expert by experience academic roles in relation to "hindsight" and "foresight." A qualitative descriptive design was used, involving in-depth semi-structured interviews with allies who had supported the implementation of academic roles for experts by experience. Participants described the wisdom of hindsight. Based on their own experiences they emphasised the importance of, laying the groundwork, facilitating a supportive environment, contributing to meaningful, credible, and sustainable roles, and vision for the future as key to successful implementation. They also described a vision for the expansion of expert by experience roles in mental health education in the future. Allies' reflections suggest the importance of preparation to facilitate a smooth as possible implementation process and enhance the likelihood of successful outcomes. The transition to recovery-focused mental health services requires the attitudes of health professionals to change. The potential of experts by experience to influence attitudinal change can be enhanced by understanding the experiences and reflections of academic allies.