Staffing trends of disability care institutions in Taiwan during the period 2002-2007

Factors influencing the intention of students to work with individuals with intellectual disabilities

Providing adequate care to individuals with intellectual disability (ID) requires the willingness of students in various health and social professions to care for this population upon completion of their studies. The aim of the current study was to examine the factors associated with the intentions of students from various fields to work with individuals with ID, using the framework of the Theory of Planned Behavior. A structured self-administered questionnaire was completed by 512 social work, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, special education, and nursing students. The questionnaire measured students' attitudes toward individuals with ID and toward working with this population, as well as their perceptions of subjective norms, controllability, self-efficacy, prior acquaintance with individuals with ID, and subjective knowledge about ID. Structural equation modeling showed that the students' intentions to work with individuals with ID were predicted by their attitudes and perceptions of subjective norms. Field of study and subjective knowledge were also found to be predictive of behavioral intention. The TPB proved to be a useful framework for examining students' intentions to work with persons with ID. Given the lack of education in the field of ID, as well as the prevailing stigmatic attitudes toward this population, university departments should develop programs aimed at increasing knowledge, promoting positive contact, and reducing the fear attached to working with persons with intellectual disability.

Perspectives on intellectual disability in Taiwan: epidemiology, policy and services for children and adults

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The present review examines the most recent published references to epidemiology, healthcare needs and utilization and social and health policy relating to people with intellectual disability in Taiwan.

METHOD

Electronic searches of Medline, PubMed and PsychInfo literature using the key terms of epidemiology, etiology, welfare policy, health policy, health services, intellectual disability, learning disability and mental retardation as well as a thorough manual search for relevant literature.

RECENT FINDINGS

The administrative prevalence of intellectual disability was 0.318-0.396%, and men accounted for a higher percentage of cases than women in Taiwan. Institutionalized care still dominates disability services provided in this society, and the number of institutions and staff working therein has increased steadily in recent years. Many studies also identify the high risk for ill health accompanied by physical/mental diseases in people with intellectual disability, with this group also requiring more healthcare services than the general population in Taiwan. There are still many barriers to accessibility and availability of health and social services confronting people with intellectual disability and their caregivers under the National Health Insurance scheme in Taiwan.

SUMMARY

As a result of this review process, this paper suggests that future study should focus on an evaluation of the efficacy of current health and social policies related to people with intellectual disability, and that supportive health environments be initiated for this group of people living in institutions or in the community.