BACKGROUND: The complexity of difficulties and limitations associated with intellectual disabilities entails the need for accessing support in healthcare services by competent physicians. The way medical education is structured in different countries may influence how well medical students are prepared to address the needs of patients with intellectual disabilities. METHODS: Three self-constructed scales were used to compare the self-assessed competencies of undergraduate medical students from Poland, Serbia, and the Czech Republic working with individuals with intellectual disabilities and to understand the significance of selected variables differentiating these competencies across countries. RESULTS: A total of 357 medical students from the three countries constituted the study sample. The students generally acknowledged the necessity of preventing discriminatory practices in healthcare and recognized the importance of special protection for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Differences were observed in their social distance and self-assessed competencies in working with these patients. Additionally, sociodemographic factors and prior experience played differing roles. CONCLUSIONS: The education of future doctors should include the opportunity to develop knowledge and skills to work with patients with disabilities.

Faculty of Medicine University of Novi Sad Novi Sad Serbia

Maria Curie Skłodowska University Lublin Poland

University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice České Budějovice Czech Republic

University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn Olsztyn Poland

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