Exploring the views of adults with intellectual disabilities and their carers on telephone, video, and in-person psychology appointments during the Covid-19 pandemic: A service evaluation

Abstract

The coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic has led health services to change the way they support people with intellectual disabilities and their carers. Therefore, this novel service evaluation aimed to find out what service users thought about telephone, video or in-person psychology appointments during and after the Covid-19 pandemic. Overall, 45 adults with intellectual disabilities and their carers completed our mixed-methods questionnaire. Service users reported that they found video sessions easy and helpful. Despite an overall positive experience of video and telephone psychology input, most service users reported a preference for in-person psychology sessions after the Covid-19 pandemic. However, 27 per cent of service users also reported that they would appreciate flexibility in the modality of therapy delivery, with a preference for both remote and in-person appointments. Therefore, it is recommended that clinicians take a person-centred approach to offering appointments, by ensuring service users are aware of the available options and asking what their preference is. The findings also suggest the importance of ongoing practice-based evidence using accessible measures, whereby service users are involved to gain a broader understanding of experiences of digital technologies in clinical practice. Further research should also ensure that there is a disability-inclusive response to all decisions regarding one’s care and that the best provision of digital mental healthcare is provided to people with intellectual disabilities and their carers.