ArticleBMC global and public health2026
Navigating healthcare for adults with intellectual disabilities in Singapore: a qualitative study of barriers and facilitators to healthcare system access and care-seeking.
Article in BMC global and public health, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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.
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.
Who cites it
0 citing papers in PubMed.
No citing paper in PubMed yet.
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
8 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundDespite Singapore's robust healthcare infrastructure, adults with intellectual disabilities (AWIDs) and caregivers face insufficient support. Singapore's multicultural context, ageing population, and income inequality further complicate equitable care. These challenges underscore the need to reassess the healthcare system for this group. Therefore, this study aimed to: (1) catalogue barriers and facilitators affecting health system access and care-seeking for AWIDs, caregivers, and health professionals before intervention; and (2) provide recommendations to address the barriers and enhance facilitators.
methodsA qualitative study using focus groups with 19 sectoral professionals and life-event guided interviews with AWID-caregiver dyads or triads (16 AWIDs; 20 caregivers) was conducted to explore viewpoints on care-seeking and health system access. Applied thematic analysis was used in identifying individual or system-level barriers and facilitators through a social constructivist lens.
resultsBarriers included individual-level challenges such as having problems when faced with sudden or accumulated changes and transitions and the struggle with insufficient financial resources, particularly affected low-income families and was compounded by insufficient subsidies. System-level challenges included the lack of specialised services for AWIDs, which contributed to mismatched care, while fragmented care and limited care provider capability complicated service delivery. Additionally, fear and distrust of the health system, exacerbated access to care-seeking. All barriers are expressed by both groups. Conversely, a facilitator that enhanced individual-level support, such as the usage of informal networks, helped connect AWID and caregivers to appropriate care. System-level support was stressed by both groups including intersectoral collaboration to address complex issues, while the availability of paid support services improved health outcomes and access. Furthermore, unpaid community support organisations, provided essential social care through organised activities. The facilitators highlighted the potential for improving the healthcare landscape through collective efforts and community engagement.
conclusionsThis study highlights the need for individual-level support, including involving more family members in caregiving, and system-level reforms such as integrated, specialised care, and enhanced advocacy. Across all levels, co-created care plans and regular check-ins are important to identify emerging issues and build trust. Implementing these strategies can help Singapore progress towards a more inclusive and responsive healthcare system for AWIDs.
Indexed as
Identifiers
What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.