A new 3DN publication describes the profile of a data linkage cohort to examine health service profiles of people with intellectual disability in NSW.
There is lack of knowledge about healthcare service needs and gaps experienced by people with intellectual disability. This study aims to interrogate a large linked administrative data set containing hospital admissions, presentations to emergency departments (ED) and mortality data to provide evidence to inform the development of improved health and mental health services for this population. This data linkage study builds a rich resource which allows the in-depth examination of the health profile and service contact of people with intellectual disability. By interrogating the linked disability and health data sets and triangulating this with data derived from an analysis of Commonwealth and State Mental Health Policy and a qualitative research approach with stakeholder engagement to improve accessibility, this project will inform the development of more appropriate service models and policy frameworks for people with intellectual disability.
The paper can be downloaded here: http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2016-015627