Karen McKenzie Professor of Psychology and Clinical Psychologist, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
George Murray Clinical Psychologist and Researcher: Independent, UK
Dale Metcalfe, Lecturer, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
Alex Shirley Director, Changing Lives, Gateshead, UK
Dr Matt Katzmer, Cruddas Park Clinic, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
Why you should read this article:
• Recognise that people with intellectual disabilities are overrepresented in the homeless population, but their intellectual disability may not be recognised by services.
• Read about the short-term impact of screening people in homelessness services with the Learning Disability Screening Questionnaire (LDSQ)
• Recognize that using the LDSQ to identify people with intellectual disabilities in homeless services may lead to positive medical outcomes, such as annual health screenings.
Background Research shows that people with intellectual disabilities are overrepresented in the homeless population, but their intellectual disability may not be recognised by services.
Objective To investigate the short-term impact of screening seven people from a homeless service in England with the Learning Disability Screening Questionnaire (LDSQ).In a larger study of the use of the LDSQ in homeless services, these participants were found to have intellectual and adaptive functioning within the range of intellectual disability.
Methods: The LDSQ Impact Questionnaire was used to assess participants’ opinions regarding the advantages and disadvantages of screening with the LDSQ. Changes in participants’ health status were also investigated.
FindingsThere appear to be many advantages and few disadvantages to using the LDSQ.Six of the seven participants were added to the GP learning disability register after taking part in this larger study, four of them had their annual health check and two received a new treatment.
Conclusions Use of the LDSQ in homeless services appears to be beneficial for homeless people with intellectual disabilities and may improve healthcare outcomes.
Learning Disabilities Practice. doi: 10.7748/ldp.2024.e2239
Peer review
This article has been externally double-blind peer reviewed and checked for plagiarism using automated software.
correspondence
Conflict of interest
The first and second authors are co-developers of the Learning Disability Screening Questionnaire (LDSQ) and receive a small amount of compensation from its use. The LDSQ was provided free of charge for the study.
McKenzie K, Murray G, Metcalfe D et al. (2024) Exploring the short-term impact of using a learning disability screening questionnaire in services for homeless people. Learning Disability Practice. doi: 10.7748/ldp.2024.e2239
Funding
This research was funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence Applied Research Collaboration North East and North Cumbria (NIHR200173), reference number OFC20_12.
Published online: March 28, 2024
Want to read more?
Already have access? Log in
or
3 month trial offer, £5.25 per month
Subscribe now and get 50% off your first 3 months. RCNi Plus users get all the benefits below: Unlimited access to all 10 RCNi journals. Easily earn CPD hours with RCNi Learning with 175+ modules. Track your progress with our NMC compliant RCNi revalidation portfolio. A newsletter tailored to your interests. A customisable dashboard with 200+ topics. Subscribe
Alternatively, you can purchase access to this article for the next 7 days: Buy Now
Are you a student? Our Student Subscription has content just for you.
Click here for details