title: GPs' opinions of health assessment instruments for people with intellectual disabilities: a qualitative study.
abstract: GPs provide health care to people with intellectual disabilities (ID). People with ID find it difficult to express themselves concerning health-related matters. Applying health assessments is an effective method to reveal health needs, and can play a role in prevention and health promotion.
  
  
  
  The aim of this qualitative study was to explore GPs' considerations about applying a health assessment for people with ID.
  
  
  
  This focus group study was conducted among a selection of Dutch GPs.
  
  
  
  An interview guide was developed. All discussions were audiorecorded and transcribed. Analysis was performed using the framework analysis approach. Two researchers independently applied open coding and identified a thematic framework. This framework and the summaries of views per theme were discussed in the research team.
  
  
  
  After four focus groups, with 23 GPs, saturation was reached. Three main themes evolved: health assessments in relation to GPs' responsibility; the usefulness and necessity of health assessments; and barriers to using health assessments on people with ID. A health assessment instrument for people with ID can help GPs to focus on certain issues that are not so common in the general population. GPs are motivated to use such a tool if it is scientifically tested, and results in significant health gains. However, GPs identify barriers at the level of GP, patient, and organisation.
  
  
  
  Most GPs in the focus groups consider providing medical care to people with ID their responsibility and indicate that a health assessment instrument could be a valuable tool. In order to deliver good care, they need education and support. Many barriers need to be overcome before a health assessment instrument can be implemented.
authors.affiliation: Department of Primary and Community Care, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands, and Siza (residential care facility for people with disabilities), Arnhem, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Esther J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Bakker-van Gijssel
authors.affiliation: Department of Primary and Community Care.
authors.forename: Tim C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Olde Hartman
authors.affiliation: Department of Primary and Community Care.
authors.forename: Peter Lbj
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Lucassen
authors.affiliation: Tilburg University, Tranzo, Scientific Centre for Care and Welfare, Tilburg, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Francine
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: van den Driessen Mareeuw
authors.affiliation: Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, IQ healthcare, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Marianne K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Dees
authors.affiliation: Department of Primary and Community Care.
authors.forename: Willem Jj
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Assendelft
authors.affiliation: Department of Primary and Community Care, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Henny Mj
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: van Schrojenstein Lantman-de Valk
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D058005:General Practitioners; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D057187:Independent Living; D008607:Intellectual Disability; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: focus groups; general practice; intellectual disability; primary health care; qualitative research