Avoiding delays in diagnosis: the importance of proactive liaison and education of staff in the general hospital. Issue 6 (28th October 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Walder, Anna; Green, Robert; Soni, Sujata
• Editors: Hall, Ian; Soni, Sujata
• Is Part Of: Advances in mental health and intellectual disabilities. Volume 8:Issue 6(2014)
• Page Start: 399
• Page End: 402
• Publication Date: 2014-10-28
• Subjects: Education -- Hospital -- Intellectual disabilities -- Physical health -- Liaison -- Diagnostic overshadowing; Learning disabled -- Mental health services -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; 362.30941
• DOI: 10.1108/AMHID-04-2014-0012
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2044-1282

Abstract

Abstract : Purpose: – The purpose of this paper is to illustrate the difficulties patients with intellectual disabilities face when they present to a general hospital with ambiguous symptoms and highlights the importance of adequate training for general staff in caring for people with learning disabilities. Design/methodology/approach: – The authors describe the pathway of a person with a learning disability and mental health problems from A&E, through a general hospital, to discharge and the problems encountered in terms of diagnostic clarity and subsequent treatment. Findings: – Delay in recognising a psychiatric cause for his symptoms and wrongly attributing his symptoms to his learning disability may have led to a protracted admission and invasive tests. Originality/value: – Education of healthcare professionals and proactive liaison work can help improve outcomes for people with intellectual disabilities when they are admitted to generic services.