Abstract
Aim:
To improve the integrated care of individuals with learning disabilities.
Background:
We report on the evaluation of a care pathway initiative in learning disability services.
Method:
Three separate care pathways were developed and implemented as part of a pilot project. Improvements in parameters were independently verified.
Results:
Service providers and people with learning disabilities welcomed the introduction of care pathways into their services.
Conclusions:
We conclude that the introduction of care pathways leads to increased communication within services, greater satisfaction and improved outcomes. These gains were achieved without an increase in resources.
MeSH terms
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Attitude of Health Personnel
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Benchmarking / organization & administration
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Communication
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Continuity of Patient Care / organization & administration*
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Critical Pathways / organization & administration*
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Education, Continuing
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England
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Epilepsy / complications
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Health Services Research
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Hearing Disorders / complications
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Humans
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Inservice Training
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Interprofessional Relations
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Learning Disabilities / complications
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Learning Disabilities / psychology
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Learning Disabilities / therapy*
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Mental Disorders / complications
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Nursing Evaluation Research
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Outcome Assessment, Health Care
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Patient Care Team / organization & administration*
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Patient Satisfaction
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Pilot Projects
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Program Evaluation
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Quality Assurance, Health Care / organization & administration*
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State Medicine / organization & administration