Research conversation: Identifying health research priority areas for women with learning disabilities

About the event

A learning disability is defined as ‘a reduced ability to understand new or complex information and to learn and apply new skills, resulting in a reduced ability to cope independently’. A learning disability is different from autism although people might have a learning disability and be autistic. A learning disability is also different to learning difficulties like dyslexia, although many people with learning disabilities prefer to use the term ‘learning difficulties’.

Women with learning disabilities experience more health inequalities and are more likely to have poorer health compared to women without a learning disability. However, as a population they have traditionally not been included in health research.

What can you contribute?

Emma Douglass‘ research focuses on the health of women with a learning disability. She is starting her research journey and would like to hear from:

• Women who have a learning disability
• Family members and staff who support women with a learning disability

This will help her establish what their health priorities are. It will also inform her research focus and ultimately the research question.

About the speaker

Emma is a learning disability nurse who works as a senior nursing lecturer at the University of the West of England, Bristol.

She teaches students across the nursing programme.

Emma is an early career researcher who has recently completed doctoral research. She used accessible research methods to explore how adults with learning disabilities are and want to be supported to make health decisions in line with Principle 2 of the Mental Capacity Act 2005.

Emma has just started a Research Launching Fellowship with Bristol, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire (BNSSG) Integrated Care Board (ICB), focusing on the health of women with learning disabilities.

What is a research conversation?

Research conversations are hosted by People in Health West of England and are informal sessions which are designed to give researchers and public contributors a chance to interact. Public contributors are encouraged to ask questions, learn about, and get involved in projects in their area.