A survey on the use of remote consultation for people with intellectual disability: The experience of community intellectual disability teams. Issue 1 (2nd January 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Nicholson, Laura; Sharma, Sudhakar; Andrews, Sarah; Farquharson, Alistair; Welsh, H.
• Is Part Of: Journal of intellectual & developmental disability. Volume 48:Issue 1(2023)
• Page Start: 85
• Page End: 90
• Publication Date: 2023-01-02
• Subjects: Intellectual disability -- remote consultation -- telemedicine -- video consultation -- teleconsultation -- learning disability; Learning disabilities -- Periodicals; Developmental disabilities -- Periodicals; Mental retardation -- Periodicals; 362.1968
• DOI: 10.3109/13668250.2022.2104450
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1366-8250

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Background: Since COVID-19, remote consultation (by telephone and video) has become widespread. This study investigated the experience of using remote consultation in Specialist Intellectual Disability Community services. Method: A total of 126 health staff working across eight Specialist Intellectual Disability Community teams in the NHS Health Board of Greater Glasgow and Clyde were asked to complete a short Likert-scale survey about remote consultation. Results: There were 61 (48%) respondents from a range of disciplines. Overall, respondents were positive about remote consultation but found it was often inadequate to complete a full patient assessment. Moving forwards, respondents wanted around 60% of all consultations to remain face-to-face. It was significantly more difficult to engage and communicate with patients with more severe levels of disability. Conclusions: Remote consultation has been successful, but there is still a need for face-to-face assessment in intellectual disability services, particularly when working with people with more severe levels of disability.