Health communication and people with learning disabilities
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Health checks and health communication with people with learning disabilities: an exploration of the use of Easy Read health information to promote health literacy during health consultations
IRAS ID
195277
Contact name
Deborah Chinn
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
King's College London
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 9 months, 28 days
Research summary
There is mounting evidence that people with learning disabilities experience marked health inequalities. Difficulties with health literacy, meaning the capacity to make sense of and use health information, contribute to the negative health outcomes faced by this group. Healthcare providers are increasingly aware of their responsibility to provide “accessible” health information for patients with learning disabilities using an Easy Read format. There has been a proliferation of adapted written health information, but very little research has examined how these materials are used in real-life situations, and how they might facilitate health communication between people with learning disabilities and health staff.
This research will explore how Easy Read health information is used during actual health consultations with people with learning disabilities. We will video 20 - 30 health checks that GPs and their staff in different London boroughs undertake with patients with learning disabilities and 10 - 15 health consultations between patients with learning disabilities and specialist learning disability health staff. We will hold one feedback interview with patients (and their carers if appropriate) and one with clinicians after health checks and consultations have been completed. A detailed interactional analysis will examine how written health information is integrated with other communicative resources in the consultation. The research will lead to guidance for health staff on how to use written health information most effectively to enhance healthcare of people with learning disabilities.
REC name
London - Camden & Kings Cross Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/LO/0455
Date of REC Opinion
4 Apr 2016
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion