How Is Psychotropic Use for Challenging Behaviour in People With Intellectual Disability Understood by Stakeholders?...

Area of Science:

• Intellectual Disability Research
• Psychopharmacology
• Health Services Research

Background:

• Psychotropic medication use for challenging behaviors in intellectual disability remains prevalent despite guidelines.
• Stigma and socio-cultural beliefs can influence perceptions of psychotropic medication use.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore beliefs about appropriate psychotropic use and shared decision-making among people with intellectual disability, their families, and health professionals.
• To identify factors influencing psychotropic prescribing in intellectual disability.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative data collection.
• Rodgers' evolutionary framework of concept analysis.

Main Results:

• Justifications for psychotropic use include mood and safety maintenance.
• Service providers, but not users, discussed medication as a last resort or legacy use.
• Organizational, systemic, professional, cultural, and relational factors, including risk perception and power imbalances, influence use.

Conclusions:

• Diverging perceptions and power imbalances create barriers to shared decision-making.
• There are significant gaps in supporting informed medication choices for individuals with intellectual disability.
• Further research is needed on interventions to improve shared decision-making processes for psychotropic medications.