How to Improve Healthcare for Autistic People: A Qualitative Study of the Views of Autistic People and Clinicians
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| Title: | How to Improve Healthcare for Autistic People: A Qualitative Study of the Views of Autistic People and Clinicians |
|---|---|
| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Mason, David (ORCID |
| Source: | Autism: The International Journal of Research and Practice. Apr 2021 25(3):774-785. |
| Availability: | SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: http://sagepub.com |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 12 |
| Publication Date: | 2021 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research |
| Descriptors: | Autism, Pervasive Developmental Disorders, Access to Health Care, Allied Health Personnel, Interpersonal Relationship, Environmental Influences, Clinical Diagnosis, Coping, Barriers, Foreign Countries, Cognitive Ability, Behavior Problems, Individual Characteristics, Accessibility (for Disabled) |
| Geographic Terms: | United Kingdom (England) |
| DOI: | 10.1177/1362361321993709 |
| ISSN: | 1362-3613 |
| Abstract: | Autism spectrum condition is associated with co-occurring physical health conditions and premature mortality. Autistic people experience multiple barriers to accessing healthcare. This study investigated autistic people's experiences of healthcare and professionals' experiences of providing healthcare to autistic people. Focus groups with 11 autistic people and one supporter, and 15 one-to-one interviews with healthcare professionals were completed. Nine themes emerged from the autistic participants' data and eight themes emerged from the health professionals' data. Three themes were identified by both groups: healthcare contacts (for improving the patient--provider relationship), making reasonable adjustments to healthcare (e.g. providing alternative places to wait for an appointment) and autism diagnosis. Autistic participants discussed the role of cognitive factors in the success of healthcare visits (such as rehearsing an anticipated conversation with the clinician the night before an appointment) and clinicians described system-level constraints that may affect healthcare delivery (such as time limits on appointments). This study identified inexpensive changes that health professionals and managers can make to improve healthcare access for autistic people. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2021 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1293657 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | Autism spectrum condition is associated with co-occurring physical health conditions and premature mortality. Autistic people experience multiple barriers to accessing healthcare. This study investigated autistic people's experiences of healthcare and professionals' experiences of providing healthcare to autistic people. Focus groups with 11 autistic people and one supporter, and 15 one-to-one interviews with healthcare professionals were completed. Nine themes emerged from the autistic participants' data and eight themes emerged from the health professionals' data. Three themes were identified by both groups: healthcare contacts (for improving the patient--provider relationship), making reasonable adjustments to healthcare (e.g. providing alternative places to wait for an appointment) and autism diagnosis. Autistic participants discussed the role of cognitive factors in the success of healthcare visits (such as rehearsing an anticipated conversation with the clinician the night before an appointment) and clinicians described system-level constraints that may affect healthcare delivery (such as time limits on appointments). This study identified inexpensive changes that health professionals and managers can make to improve healthcare access for autistic people. |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 1362-3613 |
| DOI: | 10.1177/1362361321993709 |
