Search results for ‘Subject term:"learning disabilities"’ Sort:
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Better access to primary healthcare for adults with learning disabilities: evaluation of a group programme to improve knowledge and skills
- Authors:
- WEBB Jenny, STANTON Melanie
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 37(2), June 2009, pp.116-122.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
The health of people with learning disabilities is poor when compared with the general population but this difference is not reflected in higher rates of access to primary healthcare. This paper reports on a study undertaken to run and evaluate a 12-week programme to enable people with learning disabilities to better access primary healthcare. The importance of this research lies in the successful outcomes achieved, and in the distinctive properties of the programme, which used practice-based groups, and focussed on the development of health skills as well as health knowledge.
Promoting self-determination in health and medical care: a critical component of addressing health disparities in people with intellectual disabilities
- Authors:
- SHOGREN Karrie A., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities, 3(2), June 2006, pp.105-113.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
As increased attention has been directed toward the disparities experienced by people with intellectual disabilities in achieving positive health outcomes, the importance of promoting the active involvement of people with intellectual disabilities in efforts to reduce such disparities and promote positive health and wellness outcomes has been acknowledged by researchers and policymakers. This parallels the larger movement within the disability field to promote the self-determination and empowerment of people with intellectual disabilities. The authors more explicitly discuss the implications of self-determination, as it has been conceptualized in the disability field, for promoting positive health and wellness outcomes in people with intellectual disabilities. They review the current research on self-determination and its impact on health, as well as the implications of this research for the development of strategies that promote self-determination in the achievement of health and wellness outcomes in people with intellectual disabilities. The authors posit the need to extend an understanding of the implications of self-determination for promoting health in people with disabilities not only to the disability field, but also to the medical and public health fields. They also provide recommendations for future research and practice.
Training therapists to work with people with intellectual disability in Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) services
- Authors:
- DAGNAN Dave, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 31(5), 2018, pp.760-767.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Background: Current policy in the England suggests that people with intellectual disabilities should, where possible, access mainstream mental health services; this should include access to mainstream therapy services. It is likely that mainstream therapists will need training and support to work with people with intellectual disabilities. Method: Sixty‐eight therapists working in an English Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) service received one‐ or 2‐day training on working with people with intellectual disabilities. Measures of confidence, general therapeutic self‐efficacy and attitudes to people with intellectual disabilities’ use of mainstream mental health services were completed pre‐training, post‐training and at 3‐month follow‐up; at which time, 12 participants were interviewed about the impact of the training on their practice. Results: There was a significant positive change in all measures immediately post‐training which was maintained at 3‐month follow‐up. Conclusions: Training considerations for mainstream therapists who may work with people with intellectual disabilities are discussed. (Edited publisher abstract)
"Are children with learning disabilities really 'Children First'? A needs and outcome evaluation of policy
- Authors:
- CLIBBENS John, SHEPPARD Michael
- Journal article citation:
- Social and Public Policy Review, 1(2), 2007, Online only
- Publisher:
- University of Plymouth
- Place of publication:
- Plymouth
In recent years a succession of legislative and policy initiatives has emphasised the importance of regarding children with disabilities as ‘children first’, to be treated on an equal footing with other children in need. This article seeks to test out the key policy objective of treating children with (learning) disabilities as ‘children first’, providing them with equality of treatment based on assessment of need. It seeks to do so also, by testing out their actual need for support by examining the outcome at six months for families that sought that support. This article is based on the analysis of referrals made to a local authority’s children’s services, where, however, intervention was limited to assessment, because they did not reach thresholds for allocation. It shows that families with children with disabilities had far higher problems and difficulties than other families refused allocation – and hence were not being treated on an equal footing to other families in need. However, it also shows that they experienced significantly more positive outcomes at six month follow up than other families. This suggests a far more complex situation than is generally indicated in the literature, showing that evaluation of provision (including whether local authorities are indeed being neglectful of families with children with learning disabilities) depends on the principles on which it is provided. However, it also indicates that policy documents, and even the discourses used by government, are misleading and that there is a need to be honest and open about both what is happening and what is possible.
An overview of systematic reviews to determine the impact of socio-environmental factors on health outcomes of people with disabilities
- Authors:
- MITCHELL Rebecca J., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Health and Social Care in the Community, early cite November 2021,
- Publisher:
- Wiley
People with disabilities are often subject to intersecting layers of social and economic disadvantage and other barriers that drive health inequity. As a result, they frequently experience worse health than people without disabilities, beyond the direct effects of their health condition or impairment. The aim of this overview of systematic reviews was to summarise the evidence on the impact of socio-environmental factors (i.e. social, physical or attitudinal) on the health outcomes of disabled people. A systematic search of five databases (MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Embase, CINAHL and Scopus) for English-language articles from January 2000 to April 2021 was conducted. Abstracts were screened by two reviewers and reviews were critically appraised. Key data were extracted by topic, population, disability type, critical appraisal method, socio-environmental themes and health outcomes. There were 23 systematic reviews identified examining adult (60.9%) or child and young (8.7%) disabled people, with 30.4% not specifying an age range. Reviews examined people with neurological or physical (39.1%), intellectual (17.4%), sensory (8.7%) or a range of (34.8%) disabilities. Three key health outcomes (i.e. access to healthcare, health-promoting behaviour and care quality) and several recurring socio-environmental themes related to the health outcomes of disabled people were identified. Disabled people encounter common social, physical and attitudinal factors that hinder their health outcomes in terms of access to services and quality healthcare. Many preventive health services were identified as either inaccessible or not meeting the needs of disabled people. Greater involvement of disabled people in service design and awareness raising is essential. (Edited publisher abstract)
The 'Here to Stay' project 2010-2015: access to services, experience and outcomes of care for people with intellectual disabilities from black and minority ethnic communities, including new migrants
- Authors:
- SALLAH David, et al
- Publishers:
- University of Wolverhampton, Association for Real Change
- Publication year:
- 2015
- Pagination:
- 129
- Place of publication:
- Wolverhampton
Reports on findings from a five year research project conducted by researchers from University of Wolverhampton in partnership with the Association for Real Change into access to services by people with learning disabilities from Black and Minority Ethnic Communities (BME), including new migrants and considered their experience and outcomes of care. The research investigates the numbers and prevalence, needs and quality of care experienced by people with learning disabilities requiring support in England. It also looks at how statutory, private, voluntary sectors and others should engage with the minority communities to promote their wellbeing and improve their life chances. Data were collected from an online survey of 575 practitioners, interviews with 73 people with learning disabilities and their family carers. An additional 34 people participated in two consensus building conferences and approximately 100 people, including service providers attended a community engagement event to comment on solutions. It also draws on findings from a review of the literature. Research findings report that: that data collection around BME groups is unreliable; that services often don't distinguish between people from BME communities and new migrants, despite their needs potentially being very different; communication between practitioners and service users needs improving; and the workforce require better training to meet the needs of BME groups. (Edited publisher abstract)
Recognising the importance of physical health in mental health and intellectual disability: achieving parity of outcomes
- Author:
- BRITISH MEDICAL ASSOCIATION. Science and Education Department
- Publisher:
- British Medical Association
- Publication year:
- 2014
- Pagination:
- 100
- Place of publication:
- London
This report outlines what needs to be done to support doctors and the medical profession in meeting the health needs of people with mental health problems and also those with intellectual disabilities and tackling health inequalities. It sets out a range of core actions to ensure that each patient receives ‘whole person’ care. The report defines mental health, intellectual disability and physical health and looks at current prevalence in the UK. It then examines the relationship between mental health, intellectual disabilities and physical health the mechanisms of co-morbidity ; the barriers people with learning disabilities and mental health problems experience when accessing health services and the importance of promoting parity of esteem between mental health, intellectual disability, and physical health. The conclusion sets out steps that need to be taken in the following key areas: promoting prevention and early intervention strategies; delivering ‘joined-up’ care; enhancing training and workforce planning; encouraging a greater research focus on mental-physical multi-morbidity. (Original abstract)
Residential supports for people with intellectual disabilities: questions and challenges from the UK
- Author:
- EMERSON Eric
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability, 24(4), December 1999, pp.309-319.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Uses recent developments in services in the UK as a case study to identify some of the challenges facing the provision of residential supports to people with intellectual disabilities. Three main areas are discussed: (1) responding to existing levels of unmet need and increasing levels of demand; (2) reducing inequalities in access to and the quality of services; and (3) obtaining and demonstrating "best value". In particular, discussion is focused on the relationships between needs, resources, process and outcomes in residential services for people with intellectual disabilities and the implications of these relationships for obtaining "best value".