Multimorbidity in people with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities
Status: On going
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Good health partly determines the quality of your life and to what extent you are able to participate in society. People with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities (PIMD) often have multiple health issues, which is called multimorbidity. The number of health issues usually increases when people get older. There is a growing awareness of the health issues that occur in children and adults with PIMD, but very little is known about whether multimorbidity also occurs, how it arises and develops, and whether any patterns can be discerned in this area. This PhD study focuses on developing knowledge on this topic to ensure that the screening for health issues in people with PIMD is more targeted and that treatment or preventive treatment is started in time.
About the research
In this PhD study, we want to gain insight into how health issues develop and progress during the life span of a person with PIMD. We will also look at possible relationships, patterns, and factors in the development and progression of health issues. The study comprises various subprojects with each one having their own set of research questions.
Subprojects
- A study that focuses on health issues in young children with PIMD. The central question is how many health issues are present in these young children and whether they are related.
- This study looks at how health issues and multimorbidity develop in young children with PIMD. This will be done by analysing the data obtained from a previously conducted longitudinal study. This means that information about the health of these children has been gathered by performing multiple subsequent measurements over time.
- Depending on the results of these two sub-studies, one or more follow-up studies will be conducted. This could be a study into the development of multimorbidity in adults, for example. It is also possible that we will conduct an intervention study into one or more specific health issues.
Benefits to practice
The PhD research has the following objectives:
- To provide loved ones and professionals with more knowledge about the topic of multimorbidity
- To signal new/changing health issues in a timely fashion
- To provide loved ones and professionals with tools to screen multimorbidity.
About the researcher
What is your role within the Academic Collaborative Center related to people with PIMD?
In my role as phd student, I am conducting doctoral research about all aspects related to multimorbidity in people with PIMD. I am also conducting reserach on the development of a diagnostic screening tool for constipation in people with PIMD.
Wat do you hope to achieve?
Gain insight into the development of multimorbidity throughout the life course of a person with PIMD. As relatives and healthcare professional have an important role in signalling, they will be involved. In addition, there is also a desire that health problems can be identified more reliably by developing measurement tools. In my Phd, we will start with the development of a diagnostic screening tool for constipation in people with PIMD.
Research projects by Anouk binnen de AW-EMB