An examination of the role of clinical psychology in meeting the needs of young disabled clients and their families/carers

This paper examines the views of clients with a physical disability, general practitioners and staff working in health and social work physical disability services about the needs of young disabled people. The most common area of disability seen by GPs was respiratory, followed by cardiac problems and stroke. With the exception of cardiac patients a third to over half of GPs felt that the needs of the identified groups were not being adequately met, in particular the needs of individuals with progressive neuromuscular problems. Over a quarter of clients felt that their needs were not being adequately met. Ninety-five percent of GPs and 100% of staff identified psychological needs of clients. For clients themselves, physical needs are ranked highest, with over 33 percent identifying psychological problems, 50 percent neuropsychological problems and 25 percent psychosexual difficulties as priority needs. In relation to carers, over 90 percent of GPs, 100% of staff and 50 percent of clients highlighted psychological needs. The majority of participants felt that clinical psychology had an important role to play in physical disability services. There was broad agreement on the areas of need which psychology would be seen to address. These were psychological needs, behavioural problems, neuropsychological problems and relationship/psychosexual difficulties. A high percentage of both staff and GPs also saw a role for clinical psychology in meeting the psychological, relationship and psychosexual needs of carers.