Stakeholders' Perspectives towards the Use of the Comprehensive Health Assessment Program (CHAP) for Adults with Intellectual Disabilities in Manitoba.
BACKGROUND
No standardized tool is used in Canada for comprehensive health assessments of adults with intellectual disabilities. This study was conducted to determine the feasibility of implementing the Comprehensive Health Assessment Program (CHAP) in Manitoba, Canada.


METHODS
This was a qualitative study using a purposive sample of physicians, nurse practitioners, support workers and families. Data were collected through individual interviews and focus groups and were analysed using content analysis.


RESULTS
Use of the CHAP was perceived as beneficial for persons with intellectual disabilities. Improved continuity of care was of the reported benefits. Six barriers for the future implementation of the CHAP were identified including the time required to complete the CHAP, and the perceived lack of physicians' willingness to do comprehensive assessments.


CONCLUSIONS
The future implementation of the CHAP was strongly supported. For its successful implementation, training of healthcare professionals and support staff and change in regulations and policies were recommended.
Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Community Health Sciences, St. Amant Research Centre, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada.
Shahin
S
Shooshtari
Faculty of Health Sciences, College of Nursing, St. Amant Research Centre, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada.
Beverley
B
Temple
Faculty of Health Sciences, College of Nursing, St. Amant Research Centre, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada.
Celeste
C
Waldman
Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada.
Sneha
S
Abraham
Department of Public Health Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada.
Héléne
H
Ouellette-Kuntz
The Queensland Centre for Intellectual and Developmental Disability, School of Medicine, South Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
Nicholas
N
Lennox
D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability; D008297:Male; D008350:Manitoba; D015397:Program Evaluation; D036301:Qualitative Research
Comprehensive Health Assessment Program; comprehensive health assessment; feasibility; health checks; intellectual disability; primary care providers