Pragmatic Reasonable Accommodation in Everyday Medicine for People With Intellectual Disabilities: A Qualitative Study of Non‐Psychiatric Physicians in Japan
Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities
Published online on July 04, 2026
Abstract
["Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, Volume 39, Issue 4, July 2026. ", "\nABSTRACT\n\nBackground\nIn Japan, providing reasonable accommodation for people with intellectual disabilities became mandatory on 1 April 2024, but evidence from non‐psychiatric hospital care is limited.\n\n\nMethod\nWe conducted semi‐structured interviews with nine hospital‐based non‐psychiatric physicians in Japan (October 2023–March 2024) and analysed data using inductive thematic analysis.\n\n\nResults\nPhysicians described accommodations in (1) medication management tailored to understanding, preferences, and home support; (2) relationship‐centred communication to elicit symptoms and confirm comprehension; and (3) flexible care processes, including time, environment, and team roles. They mitigated risks through witnessed explanations, clear documentation, and proactive coordination with nurses and family members.\n\n\nConclusions\nPractical, workflow‐embedded accommodations are common in non‐psychiatric settings and could be strengthened by structured communication supports and systematic information sharing.\n\n"]