Current evidence indicates that intellectual disability and gender are both factors in differential usage of services. However, there are limited data about the demographic and service usage patterns of people with intellectual disability who use mental health services. This is particularly true in relation to women with intellectual disability with mental ill health. Interrogation of large-scale linked data sets can provide valuable insights into patterns of service usage among marginalised groups.
A large collaborative data linkage project was assembled with the overarching aim of providing an epidemiological profile of the health (including mental health), health service use, mortality and other service system contacts of people with intellectual disability in New South Wales (NSW), Australia. These linked data were used to interrogate the demographic, diagnostic and service use profiles of women with intellectual disability who have sought mental health support in NSW.
The linked data demonstrated important differences in patterns of diagnosis and service use for women with intellectual disability and mental health disorders, when compared to women without intellectual disability and men with and without intellectual disability, with mental health disorders. The diagnostic profile of women with intellectual disability reflected the gendered nature of diagnoses found in the wider population. Women with intellectual disability also experienced higher rates of diagnostic instability than other groups.
The intersection between gender, intellectual disability and mental health has an effect on diagnostic profile and patterns of service use for women with intellectual disability. These differences are important and may impact targeted service delivery and planning for women with intellectual disability who have sought mental health support.
We explored the experiences of staff working in Norwegian community-based living facilities, caring for people with intellectual disabilities during the Covid-19 pandemic, and what self-regulatory strategies staff used to maintain health and care service delivery and contribute to organisational resilience.
A qualitative design was utilized. Data were collected from September 2021 to April 2022 with individual and focus group interviews. In this study, 25 staff members participated. Thematic analysis was conducted.
Five main themes were identified regarding the experiences of staff during the pandemic: Lockdown of facilities, social isolation of residents, lack of health follow-up, high sick leave rates and communication challenges. Only some of the strategies to mitigate pandemic-related challenges were based on current Norwegian infection control guidelines. Some strategies were successful while others were not and some were negligent and challenged the delivery of health and care services for the residents.
Our study shows that people with intellectual disabilities living in the community-based living facilities were subjected to human rights violations and violations of the Norwegian infection control law. This was caused by a lack of several important organisational qualities in the facilities.
Policy, research, and people's own experience in the UK consistently highlight the central importance of a home of choice for people with learning disabilities. Yet attention is mainly focused on the development of specialist as opposed to generic housing options for people with learning disabilities.
This article reviews the findings from a major research study looking at the rented housing sector for people with learning disabilities. The study comprised of a review of local authority learning disability strategies; a ‘national conversation’ with key stakeholders; and thirty-five, qualitative interviews with people with learning disabilities who rent their own homes.
The research found that local learning disability strategies are lacking in information on rented housing for people. A national consultation identified a range of challenges in accessing rented housing for people wishing to do so. Interviews with people with learning disabilities renting their own place confirmed some of these problems but also, crucially, highlighted the success for most who rented their own home. People liked renting and were managing their tenancies well with relatively modest support.
The evidence points to the possible benefits of a greater focus on renting for people with learning disabilities.
Transitions into adult services for young people with complex communication needs are often experienced as challenging and rarely include the voices of young people.
We piloted a person-centred method to enable one young person's (Dominic) voice to be included in his transition to adult services. An ‘I am’ Digital Story is a short video (c.6 min) that provides a strengths-based representation of a young person that is designed to be shared with and between settings. The process and outcomes of story cocreation were evaluated through semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders.
The process of story creation was evaluated very positively by key stakeholders. The information about Dominic's strengths and preferences helped the new setting to prepare for Dominic's arrival.
The ‘I am’ Digital Story method provides a powerful and accessible method for including the voices of young people with complex communication needs in their transitions.
Despite the growing diversity among students in higher education, nonprogression to postsecondary education persists for many students with intellectual disabilities with low completion rates for those who do progress. Research suggests that occupational therapy (OT) support can be extremely beneficial in assisting students. Less is known however about the impact of OT in higher education. This study aims to examine the use of OT embedded in a postsecondary programme for students with intellectual disabilities.
This study uses a scoping review of relevant literature and a qualitative analysis of OT working in a higher education programme specifically designed for students with intellectual disabilities in Ireland.
This paper highlights how the OT support within this programme uses a four-fold collaborative approach supporting students, staff, business partners and wider organisational structures in the university.
The analysis highlights the opportunities for collaboration between OT and curriculum developers, teaching and ancillary staff and students in higher education along with the significant OT input into work placements and internships with business partner mentors. Challenges in educating stakeholders to understand OT in the higher education environment would suggest a substantial need for further research.
In people with intellectual disabilities and mental disorders and/or challenging behaviours, rates of psychotropic drug prescription are high. In clinical treatments and evaluations, all stakeholders should be involved in a process of shared decision-making (SDM). We aimed to investigate the perspectives of clients and their carers on clients’ treatments with psychotropic drugs.
We conducted a survey among adults with intellectual disabilities in a Dutch mental healthcare centre providing community, outpatient and inpatient care. Data were collected between January and June 2022. Questions focused on experiences with the provision of information, treatment involvement and SDM and participants' wishes in this regard.
Respondents (57 clients and 21 carers) were largely satisfied with the overall care from their clinicians, and with how information on the pharmacological treatment was provided verbally, but written information was insufficient or not provided. Seventy per cent of clients and 60% of carers reported being involved in medication decision-making. However, over 75% of participants desired greater involvement in SDM and over 60% in medication reviews.
Service users and representatives were satisfied about the treatment and verbal information on their psychotropic drug use. The provision of written information, the SDM process and ongoing evaluation of psychotropic medication use could be improved.
Participation-focused interventions are gaining momentum. The Pathways and Resources for Engagement and Participation (PREP) is one such intervention, and it was investigated in this study for its effectiveness in supporting participation in employment-related activities for young adults with intellectual disabilities in Australia.
The application of the PREP approach was adapted to accommodate COVID-19 restrictions. Data were gathered from multiple sources in a triangulating manner following a case study design. Measures of performance, satisfaction, and a third measure of involvement were collected using the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) in a multiple baseline format. The work questionnaire from the Assessment of Life Habits (Life-H) was administered at three time points, and qualitative data were collected post-intervention via a separate semi-structured interview with four young adults with intellectual disabilities and the two occupational therapist facilitators.
Performance, satisfaction and involvement scores had increased for 75% or more of employment-related goals at follow-up, although these changes were not statistically significant. Visual analysis indicated improved Life-H accomplishment scores post-intervention, but satisfaction with employment scores did not change. PREP was positively perceived, but the young adults reported needing more support from their participation teams.
The PREP intervention shifts the focus from a skills-based approach to a participation approach to practice and empowers young adults with intellectual disabilities to have greater independence over employment goals and related activities. COVID-19 restrictions limited the application of the PREP approach, but the experience was still valued by the participants, although additional training and support for them and the PREP participation team working with them may have further enhanced their experience and participation outcomes.
京公网安备 11010802042870号
京ICP备2023020795号-1
扫码关注我们
求助内容：
应助结果提醒方式：