Experiences and attitudes of health professionals who deliver services for adults with learning disabilities

Castell, Emma Louise (2014). Experiences and attitudes of health professionals who deliver services for adults with learning disabilities. University of Birmingham. Clin.Psy.D.

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Abstract

It has been recognised that people with learning disabilities (LD) are not receiving adequate healthcare to meet their health needs. Several causative factors have been proposed to account for this inequality, from difficulties in accessing services to the attitudes of health professionals’ delivering healthcare provision. This document summarises a systematic review of the attitudes of health professionals who provide care for people with LD. This review concluded that health professionals’ attitudes towards caring for people with LD varied both across and within the studies appraised. There appear to be multiple cognitive and social factors that influence professionals’ attitudes, affecting their intentions regarding care and subsequent care provision. A research study is also summarised which explored midwives’ experiences of caring for women with LD. The study concluded that despite midwives reporting limited LD training and a number of significant barriers in providing care for women with LD, they were dedicated to delivering adequate midwifery care to women with LD. Midwives felt that accessible support could make a difference to women with LD pregnancy experience. The influences of cognitive and social factors on behaviour are considered in discussion of the experiences and attitudes of health professionals towards people with LD.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Doctorates > Clin.Psy.D.)

Award Type:

Doctorates > Clin.Psy.D.

Supervisor(s):