Characteristics and outcomes of patients with intellectual disability admitted to a specialist inpatient rehabilitation service

Abstract

Rehabilitation services for people with mental illnesses have been extensively researched. However, services with similar aims and specifications for patients with intellectual disabilities (IDs) have had little focus. This study describes the characteristics and outcomes of 21 patients admitted to a specialist ID rehabilitation service over an 8-year time frame. Rather that solely accepting ‘step-down’ referrals, some patients were referred from community settings. During the study, 20 patients were discharged, 80% to lower levels of service restriction, while 14.3% to higher levels. The study suggested that rehabilitation services have an important role within the wider service model for people with ID. Within the service studied, patients were referred from both higher and lower levels of restriction, suggesting the rehabilitation service ‘bridged the gap’ between inpatient and community settings, supporting the aim of caring for patients in the least restrictive setting for their needs.