Living with Disability Research Centre Research Seminar Series

Better access to hospital and mental health services for people with intellectual disabilities

Our first presenter Professor Teresa Iacono presents on work in progress, which is translating prior research into a new online training resource about delivering quality hospital care for adults with cognitive disabilities. Our second presenter Dr Jo Spong speaks about the capacity of regional and rural mental health services to support people with intellectual disabilities.

Increasing Hospital Access and Quality of Care for People with Cognitive Disabilities

Professor Teresa Iacono, Living with Disability Research Centre, La Trobe University

This project translates evidence from a large study funded by the National Disability Research Agenda (Bigby et al., 2018; Iacono et al., 2020). In that study, the researchers collected qualitative data from about 60 adults with cognitive disabilities who experienced 186 hospital encounters over 35 months. Analysis of these data revealed a dynamic interplay of key elements that result in quality supports and resolution of difficult situations. In this project (NDIS ILC-funded), the researchers are developing an online training resource to support the systematic embedding in hospital processes of a framework that emerged from the analysis. In this presentation, the four elements of Knowing, Informing, Collaborating and Supporting will be described, with video scenarios depicting them in action at various points in a patient journey shown. These videos form the focal points of a new online training resource. An iterative evaluation process has been followed through stakeholder feedback regarding 20 scripts, with feedback about the completed videos in progress. On completion of the resources website, further evaluation activities will be conducted with larger groups of stakeholders progressing through pathways directed to them as hospital staff, family or close others, or disability support staff.

Preparedness of a Regional Rural Mental Health Workforce to Support People with Intellectual Disabilities

Dr Jo Spong, Rural Health School and Living with Disability Research Centre, La Trobe University

This presentation will describe a project conducted to identify the preparedness, training needs, resources and supports of a regional rural public mental health workforce in providing care and services to people with intellectual disability and mental ill health. There is a greater vulnerability to mental ill health for people with intellectual disability than those in the general population. The associated cognitive and communication impairments can challenge health services when trying to provide sufficient care to people with intellectual disability. Adjustments to standard models of care are required for people with intellectual disability and mental ill health to reduce the risk of diagnostic overshadowing, where symptoms are attributed to the intellectual disability, and consequently the possible exacerbation of the condition. There is evidence, however, that mental health professionals are feeling inexperienced and lacking confidence in managing the complex needs of people with intellectual disability and mental ill health. This is particularly concerning for people with intellectual disability who are living in regional rural areas where barriers to accessing health services already exist.