Patients With Learning Disabilities Experience Poorer Care Quality

A study published in Health Services and Delivery Research finds patients with learning disabilities generally experience poorer care quality.

Advertisement

Researchers used questionnaires, interviews, observations and safety incidence monitoring practices to gather data over 21 months to observe the healthcare environment for patients with learning disabilities.

Sign up for our FREE E-Weekly for more coverage like this sent to your inbox!

They found good care practices were not always implemented when working with patients with learning disabilities, mainly seeing “delays and omissions of treatment and basic care.”

The study identifies four main barriers to proper patient care: patients not being identified as having a learning disability, limited understanding of vulnerabilities or specific services these patients may need, lack of presence of a caretaker, and staff misunderstanding the role of the caretaker and a lack of defined responsibility and accountability for care of the patient.

The authors suggest further research is needed to identify factors that are most effective in improving care quality for patients with learning disabilities.

More Articles on Care Quality:

Nursing Experience Affects Pediatric Cardiac Mortality
Wealthier Patients Happier With Providers, Survey Finds
New Data on Hospital Readmission Reduction Strategies

Becker’s 3rd Annual Fall Chief Pharmacy Officer Summit is the top tier event that the people leading the future of pharmacy convene. This 3-day event is built specifically for Chief Pharmacy Officers and senior pharmacy leaders. The sessions examine the workforce, financial and clinical priorities shaping pharmacy today. Becker’s is where candid discussions flourish and new ideas thrive. Becker's 3rd Annual Fall Chief Pharmacy Officer Summit

Advertisement

Next Up in Clinical Leadership & Infection Control

Advertisement

Comments are closed.