Physician attitudes and practices on providing care to individuals with intellectual disabilities: an exploratory study.

Abstract

A dearth of literature exists regarding barriers to physicians providing medical care to patients with intellectual disabilities. Using an exploratory study, we assessed current physician practice for this population of patients. We mailed a 17-question anonymous survey to primary care physicians (PCPs) in Connecticut. Results showed that many physicians care for patients with intellectual disabilities, but approximately 62% of physicians believed caring for this group to be more difficult compared to other groups. Lack of training and education pertaining to patients with intellectual disabilities, issues of communication, and interruptions in continuity of patient care affect physicians' ability to care for this population. Future research should establish best practices and examine nationwide practices in providing care to patients with intellectual disabilities.