Health Checks for Autistic Adults
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Evaluation of the clinical and cost effectiveness of a health check for autistic adults in NHS Primary Care, and the factors important for implementation
IRAS ID
272808
Contact name
Jeremy Parr
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust
ISRCTN Number
ISRCTN30156776
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 7 months, 31 days
Research summary
Autistic people are on average more likely to experience poor health than non-autistic people. Some autistic people don’t seek healthcare because health professionals and services don’t provide the adjustments needed. Health checks identify some important conditions that affect health and wellbeing and are available to some people through the National Health Service (NHS).
This project has three stages: First, we identified the facilitators and barriers to healthcare access for autistic adults, through questionnaires, group discussions and interviews with autistic people, relatives and health professionals. Then we created a health check for autistic people in partnership with autistic people, relatives and health professionals. This comprised a health checklist and a document (online and paper) to be completed prior to the appointment to gather health-related information and the adjustments needed to make the appointment most acceptable. We will now test whether the health check is acceptable for people using it.
Finally, general practice staff will use the health check in NHS appointments. We will gather information about the feasibility and acceptability of health check use with up to 100 autistic adults and compare the information gained about health with that of an additional 100 autistic people receiving usual healthcare. We will evaluate whether the health check is effective at identifying health conditions and needs, and identify treatments or referrals received within 12 months. We will gather information about the associated costs of health check use, and value for money. We will collect information about factors that might affect health check use in NHS practice after the trial. Throughout, we will work with NHS England to identify and share evidence relating to possible future implementation. The findings will be used to inform practitioners and policymakers about whether health checks for autistic people should be made available through UK and international primary care services.
REC name
Wales REC 5
REC reference
21/WA/0196
Date of REC Opinion
24 Jun 2021
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion