Short-Term Psycho-Education for Caregivers to Reduce Overmedication of People with Intellectual Disabilities (SPECTROM): Development and Field Testing

Shoumitro (Shoumi) Deb, Bharati Limbu, Gemma Unwin, Linda Woodcock, Vivien Cooper and Michael Fullerton
Additional contact information
Shoumitro (Shoumi) Deb: Department of Brain Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK
Bharati Limbu: Department of Brain Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK
Gemma Unwin: School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
Linda Woodcock: AT-Autism, 20-22 Wenlock Rd, Hoxton, London N1 7GU, UK
Vivien Cooper: The Challenging Behaviour Foundation, The Old Courthouse, New Rd Ave, Chatham ME4 6BE, UK
Michael Fullerton: Achieve Together, Q4, First Floor, The Square, Randalls Way, Leatherhead KT22 7TW, UK

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 24, 1-15

Abstract: People with intellectual disabilities (PwID) are at a higher risk of developing challenging behaviours (CB). Despite the poor evidence for the effectiveness of medications in managing CB, they are used widely among PwID (50–63%). The aims of our study were to develop a training programme, SPECTROM for support staff to help reduce overmedication in PwID and carry out field testing of SPECTROM including a process evaluation. We developed SPECTROM using the Experience-based co-design method that included four focus groups and a one-day co-design event. Twenty trainees received SPECTROM training. We used the Management of Aggression and Violence Attitudes Scale-Revised-Intellectual Disabilities (MAVAS-R-ID) and the Psychotropic knowledge questionnaire. A semi-structured interview and a feasibility questionnaire were used for process evaluation. SPECTROM website contains 14 modules, resources, and face-to-face training. MAVAS-R-ID scores showed change in staff attitude to ‘medication management’ domain was statistically significant ( p < 0.05). Psychotropic knowledge questionnaire showed statistically significant post-training improvement in correct responses ( p < 0.05). Process evaluation data showed that SPECTROM was acceptable, applicable, practical, and relevant to staff practice, and helped to improve self-reflection, knowledge, and support to PwID. SPECTROM is a useful training that helps to change the support staff’s attitude toward CB and improve their knowledge of psychotropic medications.

Keywords: intellectual (learning) disabilities; adults; support staff; training; psychotropic medication; alternatives to medication (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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