Self-management of health by people with intellectual and developmental disabilities

Abstract

Background: Self-management of health includes people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) playing a key role in health management in collaborating with healthcare professionals.

Methods: This study analysed data from Personal Outcome Measures^® surveys (n = 1,341) to explore self-management of health. We had the following research questions: Who is most likely to be supported to self-manage their health? How does being supported to self-manage impact different areas of health? and How does being supported to self-manage impact other health-related organizational supports?

Results: Findings revealed the impact of self-management of health can be wide-ranging, regardless of impairment severity. When supported to self-manage their health, healthcare professionals were more likely to address healthcare issues, and interventions were more likely to be effective.

Conclusions: Self-management represents a paradigm shift for people with IDD because it transforms people from passive recipients to active directors of their health.

Keywords: organizational supports; participant direction; people with intellectual and developmental disabilities; self-management of health.