Healthcare services utilization among people with intellectual disability and comparison with the general population.
BACKGROUND
Studies have reported unmet health needs in individuals with intellectual disability (ID). This study illustrated and analysed patterns of healthcare services utilization among people with intellectual disability and compared their use to that of the general population.


METHOD
Participants (N = 791, aged 15-82) were mainly recruited through government-financed agencies specializing in services for people with intellectual disabilities in Québec, Canada. Comparisons were possible by using health administrative data.


RESULTS
Some services were more used by people with intellectual disability than the general population (general medicine, psychiatry, PSA blood tests), and others were accessed at significantly lower frequencies (optometry, physiotherapy, Pap tests). Similar rates were found for mammography, dentistry and psychology. Inequities were more salient for individuals who had more severe levels of intellectual disability.


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings support that the population with intellectual disability would benefit from policies and practices aimed at enhancing the access to healthcare services.
['Maltais|Julie|J|https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0189-8185', 'Morin|Diane|D|https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2122-1358', 'Tassé|Marc J|MJ|https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6168-669X']
D000293:Adolescent D000328:Adult D000368:Aged D000369:Aged, 80 and over D000078336:Facilities and Services Utilization D005260:Female D006297:Health Services Accessibility D054625:Healthcare Disparities D006801:Humans D008607:Intellectual Disability D008297:Male D008875:Middle Aged D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care D019989:Persons with Mental Disabilities D011792:Quebec D055815:Young Adult
healthcare intellectual disability health needs disparities health services utilization healthcare professionals