2017 Volume 37 Pages 225-233
Purpose: This study aimed to clarify the process in which people with intellectual disabilities feel it difficult to consult medical institutions on the basis of the parents’ opinions.
Methods: Focus group interviews were conducted with three groups of parents (n = 14) of people with intellectual disabilities. For analysis, the Modified Grounded Theory Approach was used.
Results: On the basis of the parents’ opinions, the process in which people with intellectual disabilities feel it difficult to consult medical institution included “concerns that it may not proceed smoothly and the burden of relieving the disabilities” and an “increase in the burden of receiving the consultation because of a negative experience at medical institution”. In addition, due to a “sense of helplessness about reducing the burden of consulting medical institution”, as well as a “loss of confidence in receiving it successfully”, people with intellectual disabilities felt [hesitation to visit medical institution]. Parents thought that [actions that each of parents and medical institution and society enables] influenced [hesitation to visit medical institution].
Conclusion: The process in which people with intellectual disabilities feel it difficult to consult medical institutions were [hesitation to visit medical institution].
A possibility that those can be reduced was suggested by the respective each efforts of parents, medical institution and society.
