Antecedents and impacts of participation in Special Olympics Healthy Athletes® on the perceptions and professional practice of healthcare professionals: A preliminary investigation

Individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID) experience poorer health, less access to health care, and increased risk for secondary conditions (Horwitz, et al, 2001; Krahn et al, 2006; Nehring, 2005). Healthcare providers often lack training in managing individuals with ID. Health care financing for those with ID is often inadequate. Cultural insensitivity and societal misunderstanding of ID, even by healthcare providers, exacerbate these disparities. Studies have demonstrated that an increase of education, experience and exposure improved professional attitudes (Slevin, 1995, Wilson, 1992). Special Olympics International developed Healthy Athletes® (HA) as a way to improve athletes' health as a vehicle to better performance in sports and life. Objectives include screening and local referral, as well as education and training of healthcare professionals.

Changing perceptions and behaviors of professionals is one way to improve knowledge and availability of healthcare services. The purpose of this project was to investigate how volunteering for HA impacted perceptions, educational plans, and practice patterns.

Surveys were completed by 88 professionals who had volunteered for HA. These HA participants were impacted by volunteering. Respondents reported that their perceptions of both the abilities of people with ID to perform a series of 14 daily activities, and their capacity to make decisions about work, living, and support needs had increased. Respondents (90%) also indicated that they needed and would pursue more education about health issues and management of people with ID. The majority (72%) planned to seek out more patients with ID, and advocate and network more for people with ID.