Health checks for people with learning disabilities: a systematic review of evidence

Authors:
ROBERTSON Janet, ROBERTS Hazel, EMERSON Eric
Publisher:
Improving Health and Lives: Learning Disabilities Observatory
Publication year:
2010
Pagination:
55p.
Place of publication:
Stockton-on-Tees

A total of 38 peer reviewed articles published in English between 1989 and 2010 were included in this systematic review. Most were based on studies conducted in the United Kingdom. The majority of the studies looked at the outcome of a single health check; only three publications were based on randomized controlled trials. The content of the health checks varied widely and they were conducted in a variety of settings. It was common for the health check to be carried out by a general practitioner. The results of the studies indicated that introduction of health checks for people with learning disabilities typically leads to the detection of unmet, unrecognised and potentially treatable health conditions (including serious and life threatening conditions such as cancer, heart disease and dementia); and targeted actions to address health needs. Few studies investigated the extent to which the provision of health checks leads to short, medium or long term changes in health status and the authors emphasise the importance of this provision. The authors conclude that, given the specific difficulties faced by people with learning disabilities targeted health checks should be considered to constitute an effective and important adjustment to the operation of primary health care services in the UK. Areas for future research are outlined.

Subject terms:
learning disabilities, prevention, primary care, screening, health care, health needs;
Content type:
systematic review
Link:
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