Shahin Shooshtari1, Beverley Temple2, Celeste Waldman2, Sneha Abraham3, Héléne Ouellette-Kuntz4, Nicholas Lennox5. 1. Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Community Health Sciences, St. Amant Research Centre, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada. 2. Faculty of Health Sciences, College of Nursing, St. Amant Research Centre, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada. 3. Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada. 4. Department of Public Health Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada. 5. The Queensland Centre for Intellectual and Developmental Disability, School of Medicine, South Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: No standardized tool is used in Canada for comprehensive health assessments of adults with intellectual disabilities. This study was conducted to determine the feasibility of implementing the Comprehensive Health Assessment Program (CHAP) in Manitoba, Canada. METHOD: This was a qualitative study using a purposive sample of physicians, nurse practitioners, support workers and families. Data were collected through individual interviews and focus groups and were analysed using content analysis. RESULTS: Use of the CHAP was perceived as beneficial for persons with intellectual disabilities. Improved continuity of care was of the reported benefits. Six barriers for the future implementation of the CHAP were identified including the time required to complete the CHAP, and the perceived lack of physicians' willingness to do comprehensive assessments. CONCLUSION: The future implementation of the CHAP was strongly supported. For its successful implementation, training of healthcare professionals and support staff and change in regulations and policies were recommended.
BACKGROUND: No standardized tool is used in Canada for comprehensive health assessments of adults with intellectual disabilities. This study was conducted to determine the feasibility of implementing the Comprehensive Health Assessment Program (CHAP) in Manitoba, Canada. METHOD: This was a qualitative study using a purposive sample of physicians, nurse practitioners, support workers and families. Data were collected through individual interviews and focus groups and were analysed using content analysis. RESULTS: Use of the CHAP was perceived as beneficial for persons with intellectual disabilities. Improved continuity of care was of the reported benefits. Six barriers for the future implementation of the CHAP were identified including the time required to complete the CHAP, and the perceived lack of physicians' willingness to do comprehensive assessments. CONCLUSION: The future implementation of the CHAP was strongly supported. For its successful implementation, training of healthcare professionals and support staff and change in regulations and policies were recommended.
Keywords:
Comprehensive Health Assessment Program; comprehensive health assessment; feasibility; health checks; intellectual disability; primary care providers
Authors: Esther J Bakker-van Gijssel; Tim C Olde Hartman; Peter Lbj Lucassen; Francine van den Driessen Mareeuw; Marianne K Dees; Willem Jj Assendelft; Henny Mj van Schrojenstein Lantman-de Valk Journal: Br J Gen Pract Date: 2016-12-19 Impact factor: 5.386