Quality of healthcare for people with intellectual disability: a mapping review protocol of the evidence in Australia and countries with similar universal health systems.

Abstract

People with intellectual disability suffer from poorer health outcomes compared with the general population. Some of these inequalities are driven by systematic neglect of the healthcare system in responding to the needs of these people. This paper is a protocol for a mapping review that aims to systematically map the evidence base for the quality of healthcare for people with intellectual disability in Australia and similar universal health systems. It will use the Australian Health Performance Framework quality domains as a guide to define quality (effective, safe, appropriate, accessible, efficient/sustainable and continuity of care). The review aims to provide an overview of the existing evidence for quality in healthcare for people with intellectual disability, helping to steer future investments in improving the health and quality of life for people with intellectual disability. A mapping review design has been chosen to address the broad aim and will be reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses-Scoping Reviews extension guidelines. Systematic searches of scientific databases and grey literature sources will be undertaken based on a search strategy developed in collaboration with academic librarians. Two reviewers will independently screen references against the inclusion/exclusion criteria. Visual/tabular summaries will then be produced alongside a descriptive overview. The mapping review has been registered with Open Science Framework (osf.io/7f8cy). Formal ethical approval is not required as primary data will not be collected. This work is considered part of a larger stream of work by the National Centre of Excellence in Intellectual Disability and Health (NCoE) consisting of a consortium of expert organisations in intellectual disability and health. The NCoE will be engaged throughout the entirety of this review, including dissemination activities (presentations, reports, workshops and social media content).