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Unscheduled healthcare for children with intellectual disabilities: A systematic scoping review
Emma Nicholson1,2, Ciara Conlon1, Laurel Mimmo3
1Centre for Interdisciplinary Research, Education and Innovation in Health Systems (IRIS), UCD School of Nursing, Midwifery & Health Systems, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
Insights
Unscheduled healthcare for children with intellectual disability (ID) shows significant inequities. Addressing these requires systemic changes recognizing specific health system issues impacting families and their children.
Area of Science:
- Healthcare access and utilization
- Pediatric healthcare research
- Intellectual disability services
Background:
- Limited research exists on unscheduled healthcare for children with intellectual disability (ID) compared to adult services or hospital settings.
- Existing studies often overlook the unique needs and experiences of this vulnerable population.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a scoping review mapping the evidence base for unscheduled healthcare for children with ID.
- To identify gaps in current research and inform future study directions.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive five-stage scoping review framework was employed.
- Extensive literature searches were conducted across multiple databases including CINAHL, PubMed, SCOPUS, PsycINFO, Embase, ProQuest Dissertations & Theses, and Google Scholar.
- Studies published in English after January 1, 2000, were included.
Main Results:
- Screening of 3158 titles/abstracts and review of 137 full-text articles identified 25 relevant papers.
- Key themes emerged: healthcare inequities, family needs and experiences, inadequate general practitioner (GP) training, and limitations in current evidence.
- Significant disparities in healthcare access and quality were noted.
Conclusions:
- Monitoring healthcare utilization trends for children with ID is crucial for quality assessment.
- Addressing identified healthcare inequities necessitates systemic interventions that acknowledge specific health system challenges.
- Further research is needed to improve healthcare provision for this population.
Background:
The provision of unscheduled healthcare for children with intellectual disability is less researched than that focused on hospital settings or for adult services. The aim of the scoping review was to map the evidence base in this area and identify areas for future study.
Method:
A five-stage scoping review framework was adopted. CINAHL, PubMed, SCOPUS, PsycINFO, Embase, ProQuest Dissertation & Theses and Google Scholar were searched. Studies published in English after 1/1/2000 were considered eligible for inclusion.
Results:
A total of 3158 titles and abstracts were screened, 137 full-text articles were reviewed, and 25 papers met the inclusion criteria. Descriptive themes focused on inequities, needs and experiences of families', poor GP training, and limitations of existing evidence.
Conclusion:
Describing trends in healthcare utilisation by this population is valuable for monitoring quality of healthcare, however, addressing observed inequities will require approaches that recognise specific issues within the health system that result in inequities.
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