Do people with intellectual disabilities understand their prescription medication? A scoping review.
Megan V A Smith, Danielle Adams, Claudia Carr and 1 others
PMID 31338972WHAT IT FOUND
Many adults with intellectual disabilities do not understand their medication names, how to take it, or its risks.
Education interventions showed mixed results, with one improving capacity and another failing to increase knowledge. Information is often not accessible or delivered directly to the patient.
Key findings
01Many people with intellectual disabilities do not fully understand their prescription medication, including names, purpose, and risks.
02One education intervention significantly improved medication capacity, while another failed to improve medication knowledge.
03Healthcare professionals often provide information that is not accessible or direct it to carers rather than the patient.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for OTsWhat it means for SLPs
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What it does not show
The review included only 10 studies, and many had small sample sizes, such as one study with only four participants. Most studies were conducted in the UK, so findings may not apply to other healthcare systems. The review focused on literature from 2011 onwards, potentially excluding earlier relevant work. Many included studies did not have medication understanding as their primary aim, so findings may be secondary or incomplete.
Declared interests
No conflicts of interest or funding sources were declared in the provided text.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume that a patient who takes their medication as directed understands what it is for or its risks. This review shows poor knowledge of adverse effects is common even among those who appear compliant.