{"title":"Personal assistance, independent living, and people with disabilities: An international systematic review (2013–2023)","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/j.dhjo.2024.101630","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><p>The article discusses the contribution of personal assistance for the independent living of people with disabilities. This right is evolving at different speeds internationally, presents controversial aspects, and is under continuous debate.</p></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><p>To synthesize the evidence relating to the promotion of self-determination and independent living through personal assistance.</p></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><p>A systematic review was conducted following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. A search for relevant literature published was conducted during March 2023 across nine databases. The findings of the included studies were coded and analyzed via inductive content analysis.</p></div><div><h3>Results</h3><p>26 articles were included, mostly qualitative, from four different continents. The analysis revealed six different key themes. The social framework highlighted the influence of international agreements and disability activism on cultural shifts in understanding disability. Secondly, healthy relationships and life or service expectations were emphasized. Key agents included users, personal assistants, family members, service providers, and other professionals. Personal assistants' work context explored ethical dilemmas, training, and working rights. Decision-making about personal assistance involved factors like lack of information, access requirements, and funding. Lastly, the implications underscored the positive impact of personal assistance on independent living, while identifying threats, and best practices for improvement.</p></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>This systematic review was the first to explore the promotion of independent living of people with disabilities through personal assistance schemes and highlights the need for governments to prioritize and coordinate efforts to ensure access for all, emphasizing the ethical imperative to progress toward social justice.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":49300,"journal":{"name":"Disability and Health Journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.7000,"publicationDate":"2024-04-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S193665742400061X/pdfft?md5=110bcc83c1f132ff7298abf56eb3a436&pid=1-s2.0-S193665742400061X-main.pdf","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Disability and Health Journal","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S193665742400061X","RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"HEALTH CARE SCIENCES & SERVICES","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Background
The article discusses the contribution of personal assistance for the independent living of people with disabilities. This right is evolving at different speeds internationally, presents controversial aspects, and is under continuous debate.
Objective
To synthesize the evidence relating to the promotion of self-determination and independent living through personal assistance.
Methods
A systematic review was conducted following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. A search for relevant literature published was conducted during March 2023 across nine databases. The findings of the included studies were coded and analyzed via inductive content analysis.
Results
26 articles were included, mostly qualitative, from four different continents. The analysis revealed six different key themes. The social framework highlighted the influence of international agreements and disability activism on cultural shifts in understanding disability. Secondly, healthy relationships and life or service expectations were emphasized. Key agents included users, personal assistants, family members, service providers, and other professionals. Personal assistants' work context explored ethical dilemmas, training, and working rights. Decision-making about personal assistance involved factors like lack of information, access requirements, and funding. Lastly, the implications underscored the positive impact of personal assistance on independent living, while identifying threats, and best practices for improvement.
Conclusion
This systematic review was the first to explore the promotion of independent living of people with disabilities through personal assistance schemes and highlights the need for governments to prioritize and coordinate efforts to ensure access for all, emphasizing the ethical imperative to progress toward social justice.
期刊介绍:
Disability and Health Journal is a scientific, scholarly, and multidisciplinary journal for reporting original contributions that advance knowledge in disability and health. Topics may be related to global health, quality of life, and specific health conditions as they relate to disability. Such contributions include:
• Reports of empirical research on the characteristics of persons with disabilities, environment, health outcomes, and determinants of health
• Reports of empirical research on the Systematic or other evidence-based reviews and tightly conceived theoretical interpretations of research literature
• Reports of empirical research on the Evaluative research on new interventions, technologies, and programs
• Reports of empirical research on the Reports on issues or policies affecting the health and/or quality of life for persons with disabilities, using a scientific base.