Dyspraxia in Medical Education: A Collaborative Autoethnography

Authors

Eleanor R. Walker, Brighton and Sussex Medical SchoolFollow
Sebastian C. K. Shaw, Brighton and Sussex Medical SchoolFollow
John L. Anderson, Brighton and Sussex Medical SchoolFollow

Abstract

In this paper we adopt an autoethnographic approach to explore the lived experiences of a UK medical student with dyspraxia within the current culture of UK medical education. An initial review of the literature revealed that there is now growing evidence regarding the difficulties experienced by, and support needed for medical students and doctors with dyslexia. However, no research has been conducted concerning dyspraxia on its own in medical education. Here we seek to provide an in-depth account of a UK undergraduate medical student with dyspraxia. It is hoped that this will have three outcomes: to support both students and staff across multiple disciplines, who have had similar experiences; to inform educators; and to promote further interest and research into this important area.

Keywords

Medical Education, Dyspraxia, Developmental Co-Ordination Disorder, Learning Difficulties, SpLDs, Medical Students, Student Support, Career Pathway Choice, Qualitative, Collaborative Autoethnography

Author Bio(s)

Eleanor Walker is a medical doctor living and working in the United Kingdom. She has a research interest in the impacts of dyspraxia on medical education and practice. Please direct correspondence to eleanorwalker5@hotmail.co.uk.

Sebastian Shaw is a medical doctor living and working in the United Kingdom. He is also an Honorary Clinical Lecturer at Brighton and Sussex Medical School, where his teaching focusses mainly on research methods and medical education. He has a particular interest in researching Specific Learning Difficulties in medical education, with the goal of promoting improved understanding and a supportive, open culture. Please direct correspondence to S.Shaw2@bsms.ac.uk.

John Anderson is a medical sociologist by background. He is currently a Principal Lecturer at Brighton and Sussex Medical School. He is experienced with both qualitative and quantitative approaches. He and SS have been engaged in a series of research on Specific Learning Difficulties in medical education since 2014. Please direct correspondence to j.anderson@bsms.ac.uk.

Publication Date

11-20-2020

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 4.0 International License.

DOI

10.46743/2160-3715/2020.4352

Recommended APA Citation

Walker, E. R., Shaw, S. C., & Anderson, J. L. (2020). Dyspraxia in Medical Education: A Collaborative Autoethnography. The Qualitative Report, 25(11), 4072-4093. https://doi.org/10.46743/2160-3715/2020.4352