ABSTRACT
Background
Adults with learning disabilities experience persistent health inequalities and often face communication barriers and fragmented care. Hospital passports have been promoted to support person-centred care and reasonable adjustment, yet their use remains inconsistent.
Methods
A systematic literature review with narrative synthesis was conducted following PRISMA guidelines. PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, and PsycINFO were searched from inception to November 2025. Peer-reviewed qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods studies examining hospital passport interventions for adults with learning disabilities were included. Methodological quality was assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Due to study heterogeneity, a narrative synthesis was conducted.
Findings
Nine studies published between 2004 and 2024 were included. Hospital passports varied in format and length but commonly included personal details, communication preferences, medical history, and support needs. Passports were perceived to improve communication, reduce repeated explanations, and support more person-centred care. However, sustained use was limited by frequent updating requirements, patients forgetting passports, stigma concerns, time pressures, limited staff training, unclear responsibility, and lack of integration into routine clinical workflows.
Conclusions
Hospital passports may support communication and reasonable adjustments for adults with learning disabilities, but their impact depends on organisational commitment and effective implementation within healthcare systems.
Protocol Registration
PROSPERO (registration number CRD420251177371).
Patient or Public Contribution
No patient or public contribution.