ERIC Number: EJ1440283
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2024-Sep
Pages: 13
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1362-3613
EISSN: EISSN-1461-7005
Available Date: N/A
How Healthcare Systems Are Experienced by Autistic Adults in the United Kingdom: A Meta-Ethnography
Autism: The International Journal of Research and Practice, v28 n9 p2166-2178 2024
Autistic adults are at increased risk of both mental and physical health difficulties, and yet can face barriers to accessing healthcare. A meta-ethnographic approach was used to conduct a review of the existing literature regarding autistic adults' experiences of accessing healthcare. Four databases were systematically searched for qualitative and mixed-method studies reporting on the experiences of autistic adults without a co-occurring learning disability accessing adult healthcare services within the United Kingdom. Fifteen studies met the inclusion criteria, and seven steps were used to systematically extract the data and then generate novel themes. Three superordinate themes were identified: "Professionals' lack of knowledge can be damaging," "Need to reduce processing demands" and "Adaptation to improve engagement." This review highlights the wide-reaching damaging impact misdiagnosis, inadequate or inappropriate treatment, overwhelming environments and inaccessible systems can have on the well-being and ability of autistic adults to engage with treatment. The lack of autism knowledge and understanding experienced in interactions with healthcare professionals, along with autistic adult's own communication and sensory processing differences, demonstrates the need for widely delivered training co-produced with autistic adults alongside bespoke and person-centred adaptations.
Descriptors: Access to Health Care, Health Services, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Adults, Foreign Countries, Meta Analysis, Ethnography, Allied Health Personnel, Knowledge Level, Training, Stress Variables, Sensory Experience
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Information Analyses
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: United Kingdom
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A