“Because people don’t know what it is, they don’t really know it exists”: a qualitative study of postgraduate medical educators’ perceptions of dyscalculia

Abstract

BackgroundDyscalculia is defined as a specific learning difference or neurodiversity. Despite a move within postgraduate medical education (PGME) towards promoting inclusivity and addressing differential attainment, dyscalculia remains an unexplored area.MethodsUsing an interpretivist, constructivist, qualitative methodology, this scoping study explores PGME educators’ attitudes, understanding and perceived challenges of supporting doctors in training (DiT) with dyscalculia. Through purposive sampling, semi-structured interviews and reflexive thematic analysis, the stories of ten Wales-based PGME educators were explored.ResultsMultiple themes emerged relating to lack of educator knowledge, experience and identification of learners with dyscalculia. Participants’ roles as educators and clinicians were inextricably linked, with PGME seen as deeply embedded in social interactions. Overall, a positive attitude towards doctors with dyscalculia underpinned the strongly DiT-centred approach to supporting learning, tempered by uncertainty over potential patient safety-related risks. Perceiving themselves as learners, educators saw the educator-learner relationship as a major learning route given the lack of dyscalculia training available, with experience leading to confidence.ConclusionsOverall, educators perceived a need for greater dyscalculia awareness, understanding and knowledge, pre-emptive training and evidence-based, feasible guidance introduction. Although methodological limitations are inherent, this study constructs novel, detailed understanding from educators relating to dyscalculia in PGME, providing a basis for future research.