Healthcare Utilisation and Barriers and Facilitators of Healthcare Access for Young People With Intellectual Disability: A Systematic Review.

Background: Young people with intellectual disability may exhibit poorer general health, higher mortality rates and greater limitations from physical or mental illnesses compared to the general population. It is important to understand how this may relate to healthcare utilisation, including factors influencing healthcare access for young people with intellectual disability. This systematic review aimed to examine healthcare utilisation and to identify common barriers and facilitators of healthcare access for young people with intellectual disability.

Method: Five databases (MEDLINE, Scopus, EMBASE, PsycINFO and CINAHL) were searched from 1 January 2013 to 31 October 2024 to identify articles that examined healthcare utilisation for young people (≤ 18 years old) with intellectual disability. Abstract and full-text screening were conducted by two reviewers; data from included articles were critically appraised.

Results: Thirty-three studies were included for synthesis and focused on utilisation of hospital inpatient services (n = 22), emergency department (ED) services (n = 13), mental health or psychiatric services (n = 7) and mental health day programmes or outreach services (n = 1). Young people with intellectual disability generally had a higher proportion of hospital admissions, ED visits, hospital length of stay, mental health outpatient visits, mortality, 30-day hospital readmission and complications of care, compared to young people without intellectual disability. Common facilitators of healthcare access and engagement included having health insurance coverage and the use of visual aids and tools for the young person with intellectual disability. Barriers included low socio-economic status and poor provider communication and knowledge about intellectual disability.

Conclusions: There are clear disparities in health service outcomes for young people with intellectual disability compared to the general population, which may be influenced by socio-cultural factors and access to knowledgeable and empathetic healthcare providers. Targeted education for healthcare providers may enhance the provision of high-quality care and improve healthcare utilisation and health outcomes for young people with intellectual disability.