Diagnostic overshadowing in the learning disability population in the UK

Diagnostic overshadowing remains a pervasive barrier to equitable healthcare for people with learning disabilities in the UK. Distressed behaviours are often assumed to be a feature of the person’s learning disability, when instead they may indicate the presence of pain, discomfort or distress due to an underlying physical or mental health issue. Diagnostic overshadowing can lead to acute and long-term conditions not being identified or being identified late, potentially causing avoidable deaths. This article presents the findings of a narrative review of the peer-reviewed literature conducted to explore diagnostic overshadowing in the learning disability population in the UK. Better education and training are necessary to enhance healthcare professionals’ understanding of learning disabilities, their communication skills and confidence in engaging with patients who have learning disabilities, and their ability to provide holistic, person-centred care to these patients.