title: The health role of local area coordinators in Scotland: a mixed methods study.
abstract: The study set out to explore whether local area coordinators (LACs) and their managers view the health role of LACs as an essential component of their work and identify the health-related activities undertaken by LACs in Scotland. A mixed methods cross-sectional phenomenological study involving local authority service managers (n = 25) and LACs (n = 40) was adopted. Quantitative data from LACs were obtained using online and postal questionnaires. Qualitative data from local authority service managers and LACs were collected using one-to-one interviews and focus groups. Thematic analysis was undertaken of the qualitative data. The results indicate that there is a need to develop further the wider public health role of LACs to incorporate health-related activities focused on broader community-based outcomes such as empowerment and community integration. By adopting a public health role, LACs will be able to contribute to the reduction of health inequalities in people with learning disabilities.
authors.affiliation: Edinburgh Napier University, UK, and NHS Lothian, UK.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: Thanos
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Karatzias
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: O'Leary
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005260:Female; D006296:Health Services / Q000592:standards; D006302:Health Services Research / Q000379:methods*; D054625:Healthcare Disparities / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D007859:Learning Disabilities / Q000534:rehabilitation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011634:Public Health / Q000592:standards; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012606:Scotland; D000078329:Workforce
keywords: Public health; health inequalities; health needs; health policy; intellectual disabilities