Services for people with intellectual disabilities and mental health problems in Singapore: perspectives from mainstream mental health professionals

Figures & data

Table 1. Interview schedule.

Semi-structured interview questions
1. What is it like working with people with intellectual disability?
2. What makes someone suitable to work with this people with intellectual disability?
3. How do you think mainstream healthcare workers/professional staff react when working with individuals with intellectual disability?
4. When you are working with people with intellectual disability, who do you mostly work with/talk to?
5. Do you think there is a difference in how people with intellectual disability are being cared for by professional staffs and family members?
6. Are there any differences in how you manage the mental health problems of people with and without intellectual disability?
7. What do you think about involving individuals with intellectual disability having a say about how they wish to manage their health?
8. What do you think about giving individuals with intellectual disability a say in their own care management?
9. What do the people and family members find helpful when engaging with your services?
10. What could help you do to improve your clinical practice?
11. How can healthcare professionals improve the quality of life of individuals with intellectual disability?

Table 2. List of themes.

Main themes	Sub themes	Participants contributing to the themes
1. Interactions	i. Challenging work	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8
	ii. Emotional reactions	1, 2, 3, 4, 7
2. Lack of empowerment	i. Level of autonomy	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8
	ii. Reaction from the public	1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 8
3.  Ideal characteristics of mental health professionals		1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8
4. Service recommendations	i. Having more resources and time	1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8
	ii. Training support staff	2, 3, 4, 5, 7
	iii. Empowering family carers	2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8