Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41781052›Full record

ArticleBMJ open2026

ASPIRE-Med project: a study protocol on an Australian psychotropic medicines training programme for disability support workers.

Macey Barratt, Kathryn Speer, Shoumitro Deb, Michelle Bellon, Timothy Cahalan, Andrea Simpson, Rebecca Koncz, Bharati Limbu, Mary Bushell

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMJ open, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Macey BarrattCentre for Ageing Research and Translation, University of Canberra, Bruce, Australian Capital Territory, Australia Macey.Barratt@canberra.edu.au.
Kathryn SpeerCentre for Ageing Research and Translation, University of Canberra, Bruce, Australian Capital Territory, Australia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7370-9932
Shoumitro DebFaculty of Medicine, Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College, London, UK.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1300-8103
Michelle BellonFlinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
Timothy CahalanCollege of Nursing and Health Science, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
Andrea SimpsonCentre for Developmental Disability Health, Monash Health, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.
Rebecca KonczFaculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
Bharati LimbuFaculty of Medicine, Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College, London, UK.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3532-0640
Mary BushellFaculty of Health, University of Canberra, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionOvermedication of off-label use of psychotropic medicines to address behaviours of concern in people with intellectual and developmental disabilities is a major public health concern. Disability support workers (DSWs) play a pivotal role in supporting adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities who are prescribed psychotropic medicines. Therefore, there is an urgent need to train DSWs to help understand the appropriate use of these medicines. This paper describes the protocol of a project that aims to develop such a programme. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: A participatory action framework will underscore the programme and follow a Universal Design for Learning approach. It will be a co-production involving all stakeholders, including people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, their families, members of the disability workforce, healthcare professionals and educational designers. The programme will be developed using the following steps: (a) development of a consumer advisory committee and expert panel groups, (b) an online survey of learning needs analysis, (c) a rapid umbrella review of the relevant literature, (d) focus groups involving participants from different parts of Australia, (e) co-design events in four Australian cities, (f) field testing on 6-12 DSWs to determine any practical difficulties of implementing the programme, (g) a feasibility trial involving at least 1200 DSWs using a train-the-trainer model and online resources and (h) a mixed-method process evaluation using interviews of a purposive sample of trainees and online questionnaire survey. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethics approval will be sought at each stage of the co-design process. Each step of the project will include an academic language paper and Easy Read report developed. The training programme will be shared across Australia, with DSWs able to complete the project for free. We expect the training will help improve DSWs' knowledge of appropriate psychotropic medicine prescribing in people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, confidence in effectively communicating with health professionals and using non-pharmacological approaches to support behaviours of concern, promote shared decision-making with clients, advocate for psychotropic medicine reviews by healthcare professionals, encourage positive interactions with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families and self-reflection on their own behaviour and attitude can influence their client and behaviours of concern.

Indexed as

Developmental DisabilitiesIntellectual DisabilityPersons with DisabilitiesPsychotropic DrugsAustraliaFocus GroupsHumansOff-Label UseProgram DevelopmentResearch DesignPsychotropic DrugsCommunity-Based Participatory ResearchDisabled PersonsMedicineMENTAL HEALTHPerson-Centered Care

Identifiers

PMID41781052
PMCPMC12970063

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