Towards Improving Medical Care for People with Intellectual Disability Living in the Community: Possibilities of Integrated Care

Abstract

Background Ongoing deinstitutionalization has resulted in several problems in medical care delivery to people with intellectual disability, such as an increased workload for general practitioners (GPs) and a lack of active co‐ordination and co‐operation between healthcare professionals. A major consequence is the incidence of untreated yet treatable medical conditions. An integrated care approach may provide a means for better co‐ordination and delivery of care. The aim is to review recent integrated care initiatives and their significance for people with intellectual disability.Method A literature search was conducted to trace relevant literature on integrated care for people with intellectual disability published between 1995 and 2003.Results Although integrated care appears to offer potential for eliminating fragmentation and discontinuity in medical care for people with intellectual disability and for reducing GP workload, there are few published studies which have evaluated its implementation with people with intellectual disability.Conclusions Even though the potential advantages of integrated care are well known, the applicability of this approach for people with intellectual disability has still to be demonstrated.