Qualitative study explores healthcare professionals' views on adjustments to improve cancer care equity for individuals with intellectual disabilities, indicating a need for policy change.
BACKGROUND: People with intellectual disabilities experience inequities across the cancer continuum. Reasonable adjustments are critical to reducing barriers and ensuring equitable care. This study aimed to explore healthcare professionals' perspectives on reasonable adjustments in cancer care for people with intellectual disabilities. METHOD: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 healthcare professionals with experience in Australian cancer care settings. Deductive-inductive thematic analysis was conducted using the COM-B model as a guiding framework. Data were organised under Capability, Opportunity, Motivation, and Behaviour domains, with subthemes generated inductively. RESULTS: Healthcare professionals were largely unfamiliar with the term 'reasonable adjustments' despite reporting some use in practice. Participants reported limited training and resources, and system- and policy-level barriers and facilitators. CONCLUSION: Transformative change is needed to ensure consistent application of reasonable adjustments in cancer care. This study highlights opportunities in policy, practice, and health-system processes to enhance accessible cancer care for people with intellectual disabilities.
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A 2026 study studied this question.
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