General practice registrars’ care of people with intellectual disabilities

Abstract

The aim of the study was to elucidate the barriers experienced by general practice registrars in their provision of health care to people with intellectual disabilities. A questionnaire was sent to 289 general practice registrars employed in practices across Australia. The responses indicated that 90% of registrars find it harder to provide good quality care for their patients with intellectual disabilities compared to their non-disabled patients. More specifically, a number of important barriers were identified, including difficulties in assessment and communication factors, limitations in consultation time, inadequate training and education in the field of intellectual disability, problems maintaining continuity of care, and uncertainties relating to resources available for people with intellectual disabilities. Identification of these barriers allowed a number of possible solutions to be explored, such as improved training of registrars and the development of a handbook about intellectual disabilities.