General Practitioners' Perceptions on Clinical Management and Training Needs regarding the Healthcare of Community-Dwelling People with Intellectual Disability: A Preliminary Survey in Singapore

What do specialist mental health professionals think of the mental health services for people with intellectual disabilities in Singapore?

BACKGROUND

This research aimed to investigate the views and experiences of specialist mental health professionals working with adults with intellectual disabilities and mental health problems in Singapore in order to gain insight into the functioning of the local specialist intellectual disability mental health service and how it may be improved.

METHODS

Eight staff members from specialist service were interviewed. The transcriptions of the interviews were analysed using thematic analysis.

RESULTS

Analysis revealed four themes (1) Identifying their roles; (2) Ensuring continuity of care; (3) Disempowerment of service users and (4) Improving clinical practice.

CONCLUSIONS

Participants identified the challenges they faced working with this population. They highlighted the importance of building therapeutic relationships during the treatment process and discussed the stigma that people with intellectual disabilities face in the community. Recommendations and implications are discussed in relation to service provision, improving staff knowledge and recruiting more staff to work in this field.

Family carers' experiences of providing care for their adult relative with intellectual disabilities and mental health problems in Singapore

BACKGROUND

Families in Singapore are primarily involved in the care of their relatives with intellectual disabilities and the study aimed to explore their experiences taking care of their relatives with intellectual disabilities and mental health problems.

METHOD

Nine unpaid family carers were interviewed. The interviews were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis.

RESULTS

Analysis revealed four themes 1) Making sense of behaviours; 2) Staff are the experts; 3) Public reaction and 4) Worries and hopes for the future.

CONCLUSIONS

Family carers found it difficult to identify and manage the mental health symptoms of their relatives and sought help from specialist mental health professionals. They were satisfied with the specialist services and found psychotropic medication helpful to reduce the symptoms. Family carers expressed worries about their relative not being accepted by the public and did not make future care plans. More resources are needed to increase accessibility of specialist mental health services for people with intellectual disabilities. It is recommended for service providers to collaborate with family carers and provide them with resources and skills to empower them to care for their relatives with intellectual disabilities.