This study identifies the health needs of people with mental retardation (MR), examines existing health services available to them and makes recommendations for future health care provision and health policy development for this group in Taiwan. To identify the health care needs of people with MR, the researcher uses the following four diemensions of health care needs: (1)felt needs (people with MR and their main carers), (2)normative needs (health providers and experts' perceived needs), (3)expressed needs (health care utilization of people with MR) and (4)comparative needs (comparison with other countries). Both qualitative and quantitative methods are used in an attempt to address the complex nature and elusive quality of the concept of health care need assessment and to assess the worth of this approach to health in the most rigorous way possible. A comparison of health care needs to current health care provision is made and new health care policy directions to improve health care services for people with MR are proposed. This study is one of the first attempts to facilitate a comprehensive health care needs and health policy approach to the field of MR in Taiwan. The findings have implications for policy development and provide a model for those searching for innovative approaches to deal with issues of health care for people with MR and other disadvantaged populations.
Learning Objectives: N/A
Keywords: Disability Policy, Health Needs
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.