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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Jin-Ding Lin¹, Chia-Feng Yen², and Jia-Ling Wu². (1) School of Public Health, National Defense Medical Center, 161, Min-Chun E. Rd., Sec. 6, Taipei, Taiwan 114, Taipei, 114, Taiwan, 886-2-87923100#18447, a530706@ndmctsgh.edu.tw, (2) Chung-Hua Foundation for Persons with Intellectual Disabilities, No.19, Ally 25, Lane 184, Sec.4, Chungshin Rd., Sanchung City, Taipei County, 241, Taiwan

Health planning is an important factor in assuring quality of care for the general population. Yet, in Taiwan relatively little attention has been given to this with respect to vulnerable groups of people, such as those with intellectual disabilities (ID). Using a structured questionnaire, posted to all disability service programs (N=157) caring for people with ID, the authors examined the perceptions of directors of service programs for people with ID with respect to health planning and the development of health planning issues in their programs. Results indicate that although most respondents agreed with the importance of health-planning and concurred with the specific health planning issues identified by the authors, there was a gap between perceived importance and satisfaction with how these issues were being dealt. The three greatest gaps were observed in 'hearing and vision screenings,''routine meetings on health issues'= and'regular dental health checkups for the ID population.' Using an opportunity calculation to prioritize the most promising health planning areas, the authors found that 'emergency planning and practice,''routine meetings on health management,''planning for infectious disease control,''regular oral health checkups,' and 'hearing and vision screenings' were the areas with greatest opportunities for further improvement in the programs. Size and auspice of the programs were not correlated to the perceived importance and satisfactions. The authors conclude that Taiwanese health authorities need to more carefully promote health planning for people with ID within disability programs so as to ensure the quality of healthcare and health promotion for people with ID.

Learning Objectives:

• The authors examined the perceptions of directors of service programs for people with ID with respect to health planning and the development of health planning issues in their programs.

Keywords: Disability Policy, Health Care Delivery

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered