Using Virtual Care to Assess the Health Needs of People With Intellectual Disabilities: A Scoping Review

Abstract

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic precipitated a rapid roll-out of virtual health care services to people with intellectual disabilities. Limited evidence is available for clinicians to guide virtual care delivery.

Method

Twenty-three studies were identified through systematic searching of 16 databases. Extracted data were mapped to the NSW Virtual Health Strategy.

Results

Evidence exists to support the use of virtual care for screening, diagnosis, assessment, and review of people with intellectual disabilities, with benefits for clients, carers, and clinicians. Evidence mapped well to the priority areas of the NSW Virtual Health Strategy, highlighting the need for clinician training and specific supports and adaptations to ensure accessibility for people with intellectual disabilities.

Conclusions

The use of virtual care to assess the health needs of people with intellectual disabilities across the lifespan is nascent. An opportunity exists for co-design with people with intellectual disabilities to reduce barriers to accessing and engaging in virtual care.