Dunn M, Strnadová I, Scully JL, Hansen J, Loblinzk J, Sarfaraz S, Molnar C, Palmer EE. Equitable and accessible informed healthcare consent process for people with intellectual disability: a systematic literature review.
BMJ Qual Saf 2024;
33:328-339. [PMID:
38071590 DOI:
10.1136/bmjqs-2023-016113]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To identify factors acting as barriers or enablers to the process of healthcare consent for people with intellectual disability and to understand how to make this process equitable and accessible.
DATA SOURCES
Databases: Embase, MEDLINE, PsychINFO, PubMed, SCOPUS, Web of Science and CINAHL. Additional articles were obtained from an ancestral search and hand-searching three journals.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Peer-reviewed original research about the consent process for healthcare interventions, published after 1990, involving adult participants with intellectual disability.
SYNTHESIS OF RESULTS
Inductive thematic analysis was used to identify factors affecting informed consent. The findings were reviewed by co-researchers with intellectual disability to ensure they reflected lived experiences, and an easy read summary was created.
RESULTS
Twenty-three studies were included (1999 to 2020), with a mix of qualitative (n=14), quantitative (n=6) and mixed-methods (n=3) studies. Participant numbers ranged from 9 to 604 people (median 21) and included people with intellectual disability, health professionals, carers and support people, and others working with people with intellectual disability. Six themes were identified: (1) health professionals' attitudes and lack of education, (2) inadequate accessible health information, (3) involvement of support people, (4) systemic constraints, (5) person-centred informed consent and (6) effective communication between health professionals and patients. Themes were barriers (themes 1, 2 and 4), enablers (themes 5 and 6) or both (theme 3).
CONCLUSIONS
Multiple reasons contribute to poor consent practices for people with intellectual disability in current health systems. Recommendations include addressing health professionals' attitudes and lack of education in informed consent with clinician training, the co-production of accessible information resources and further inclusive research into informed consent for people with intellectual disability.
PROSPERO REGISTRATION
CRD42021290548.
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