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Facilitated communication: results from a number of recently published evaluations
- Author:
- FELCE David
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 22(4), 1994, pp.122-126.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Facilitated Communication (FC) is said by its proponents to allow people thought previously to have little or no expressive language to communicate in sometimes sophisticated ways about themselves, their feelings and their views on world. These claims challenge accepted understandings of intellectual and cognitive disability and language development. They have naturally caused controversy, the more so since FC involves direct physical guidance being given to enable the individual to spell out messages. Such guidance may permit direct facilitator control of the content of what is being communicated. Several research studies investigating the validity of FC and the possibility of facilitator influence have now been published. All of those described here show that individuals could not communicate beyond their previously recognised language abilities when facilitators have been prevented from knowing what response was required. This evidence alone suggests that the facilitators must shape the message being produced during FC. However, most studies also produced direct evidence that they do indeed do so. There is no basis for encouraging more widespread implementation of FC at the moment.
Evaluating service quality
- Authors:
- EVANS Gerry, FELCE David, HOBBS Steve
- Publisher:
- Standing Conference of Voluntary Organisations for People with a Mental Handicap
- Publication year:
- 1991
- Pagination:
- 79p.,list of orgs.,bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- Cardiff
Introduces the concept of evaluation, looks at types and methods of evaluation. Part 2 offers practical guidance on how to carry out an evaluation.
The Gerry Simon Lecture, 1998: enhancing the quality of life of people receiving residential support
- Author:
- FELCE David
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 27(1), 1999, pp.4-9.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Examines the quality of residential services provided to people with learning difficulties in the community. Looks in particular at: the scope of provision, it's nature, the status and role of the person being supported, and the quality of opportunity and support offered.
Ways to measure quality of outcome: an essential ingredient in quality assurance
- Author:
- FELCE David
- Journal article citation:
- Tizard Learning Disability Review, 1(2), April 1996, pp.38-44.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Policy rhetoric, encompassing terms such as contraction for quality, effectiveness-led health and social care, quality assurance and value for money, implies the need to measure the quality of service outcome. Systematic measurement of outcome is rarely undertaken and generally viewed as the province of research. Argues that quality monitoring needs to be an integral part of routine service operation. A framework for thinking about outcome is offered and possible measures from the research literature are listed. Argues that while services will need to put effort and resources into developing a capacity to monitor quality, the task should not be seen as too complicated or resource intensive to make it impossible to do, at least in a more coherent way than is currently being attempted.
Primary health care for people with a learning disability: a keynote review
- Authors:
- KERR Mike, FRASER William, FELCE David
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 24(1), 1996, pp.2-8.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
The delivery of health care to people with a learning disability living in the community has come under increasing scrutiny. Concerns have been raised over both the current quality of this care and its future organisation. This article reviews the evidence on current practice focusing on epidemiology, health status and policy directives affecting primary health care. Four specific areas for service developments are identified: an individual focus within an epidemiological framework, the evaluation of the effectiveness of current therapies, practice organisations and the awareness of health within social care. It is proposed that an effective model of primary health care is possible, supported by research, training, inter-service collaboration and purchasing guidelines.