Improving Quality of Care for Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities via Consultation: Process Improvement and Support of Interprofessional Teams

Abstract

Working with individuals with intellectual disabilities presents unique opportunities and challenges. In addition to challenges presented by having a disability (e.g., communicating with others), is the obscurity of coordination of services within an often fragmented service delivery system. One response has been to create a system that brings together various professionals responsible for an individual’s care and identify possible courses of action to address identified concerns, both medical and behavioral. In this paper, we discuss development of the team, describe changes that have resulted in improved processes, and highlight some of the successful outcomes. We also discuss implications for policies and practices related to working via such an approach and its benefits.