Program
Physician Assistant M.S.
Year Approved
2019
First Advisor
Wallace, Boeve
Abstract
Nearly 3% of the world’s population have an intellectual disability. A link exists between intellectual disability and higher rates of chronic and preventable diseases, which is partially attributed to lack of health education geared toward individuals with intellectual disability. Health promotion programs can provide health-related resources and education. Health promotion programs are often standardized, making it challenging to meet the various learning needs of individuals with intellectual disability. Special Olympics is the largest organization that provides health-related programming for those with intellectual disability. In Minnesota, the Special Olympics branch known as Health Promotion has reported difficulty with meeting the goal of improving long-term health outcomes for participants through health education. Alongside Special Olympics Minnesota Health Promotion Program organizers, the project team identified three areas for improvement: health curriculum, volunteer training, and program organization. To make changes to the identified areas, the project team conducted a literature review focused on intellectual disability, health promotion, and Special Olympics. The project team implemented curriculum changes adaptable to different learning styles, increased volunteer competency through training, and improved program flow and planning. Changes were implemented in Special Olympics Summer and Fall Games 2018. Following the program changes, volunteer numbers and program attendance increased from previous years and Health Promotion Program coordinators reported an enhanced participant experience, which suggests the community service project positively impacted Special Olympics Minnesota’s Health Promotion Program.
Degree Name
Masters of Science in Physician Assistant
Document Type
Masterʼs thesis
Recommended Citation
Bajema, A. R., Hayes, L. M., Kostreba, K. B., & Winslow, S. (2019). Enhancing the Effectiveness of Special Olympics Minnesota’s Health Promotion Programming [Masterʼs thesis, Bethel University]. Spark Repository. https://spark.bethel.edu/etd/39
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