TY - JOUR

T1 - What do people with intellectual disabilities, their family members and paid carers understand about psychotropic medication?

T2 - A rapid review

AU - Cavanagh, Dawn E.

AU - Caton, Sue

AU - Rawles, Jodie

AU - Runswick‐Cole, Katherine

AU - Hatton, Chris

AU - Chauhan, Umesh

AU - Hutchinson, Christine

PY - 2024/9/1

Y1 - 2024/9/1

N2 - Background: People with intellectual disabilities are more likely to be prescribed psychotropic medication than the general population and are frequently prescribed multiple medications. Understanding people with intellectual disabilities and carer perspectives is essential to improving the quality of psychotropic medication prescribing and usage. Method: A rapid review explored people with intellectual disabilities' understanding of psychotropic medications, as well as family members and paid carers, and how this understanding can be improved. Results: Twenty‐one journal articles were included. Lack of understanding of medication was universal, with participants often unaware of adverse effects, alternatives, and rights around medication. There was also a lack of involvement in decision making for all participants. Some interventions aimed at people with intellectual disabilities or paid carers helped to improve knowledge. Conclusion: Evaluating how best to improve psychotropic medication understanding for people with intellectual disabilities, family members and paid carers should be a focus for future research.

AB - Background: People with intellectual disabilities are more likely to be prescribed psychotropic medication than the general population and are frequently prescribed multiple medications. Understanding people with intellectual disabilities and carer perspectives is essential to improving the quality of psychotropic medication prescribing and usage. Method: A rapid review explored people with intellectual disabilities' understanding of psychotropic medications, as well as family members and paid carers, and how this understanding can be improved. Results: Twenty‐one journal articles were included. Lack of understanding of medication was universal, with participants often unaware of adverse effects, alternatives, and rights around medication. There was also a lack of involvement in decision making for all participants. Some interventions aimed at people with intellectual disabilities or paid carers helped to improve knowledge. Conclusion: Evaluating how best to improve psychotropic medication understanding for people with intellectual disabilities, family members and paid carers should be a focus for future research.

KW - behaviours that challenge

KW - family members

KW - paid carers

KW - understanding

KW - intellectual disabilities

KW - psychotropic medication

U2 - 10.1111/jar.13283

DO - 10.1111/jar.13283

M3 - Review article

VL - 37

JO - Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities

JF - Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities

SN - 1360-2322

IS - 5

ER -