PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - Sullivan, William F AU - Heng, John AU - Cameron, Donna AU - Lunsky, Yona AU - Cheetham, Tom AU - Hennen, Brian AU - Bradley, Elspeth A AU - Berg, Joseph M AU - Korossy, Marika AU - Forster-Gibson, Cynthia AU - Gitta, Maria AU - Stavrakaki, Chrissoula AU - McCreary, Bruce AU - Swift, Irene TI - Consensus guidelines for primary health care of adults with developmental disabilities. DP - 2006 Nov 01 TA - Canadian Family Physician PG - 1410--1418 VI - 52 IP - 11 4099 - http://www.cfp.ca/content/52/11/1410.short 4100 - http://www.cfp.ca/content/52/11/1410.full SO - Can Fam Physician2006 Nov 01; 52 AB - OBJECTIVE To develop practical Canadian guidelines for primary health care providers based on the best available evidence for addressing health issues in adults with developmental disabilities (DD). QUALITY OF EVIDENCE Authors of background papers synthesized information from their own clinical experience, from consultations with other experts, and from relevant professional publications. Based on discussions of these papers at a colloquium of knowledgeable health care providers, a consensus statement was developed. Standard criteria were used to select guidelines for consideration and to rank evidence supporting them. Most evidence was level III. MAIN MESSAGE People with DD have complex health issues, some differing from those of the general population. Adequate primary health care is necessary to identify these issues and to prevent morbidity and premature death. Physical, behavioural, and mental health difficulties should be addressed, and primary health care providers should be particularly attentive to the interactions of biological, psychological, and social factors contributing to health, since these interactions can easily be overlooked in adults with DD. Attention must also be paid to such ethical issues as informed consent and avoidance of harm. Developmental disabilities are not grounds for care providers to withhold or to withdraw medically indicated interventions, and decisions concerning such interventions should be based on patients' best interests. CONCLUSION Implementing the guidelines proposed here would improve the health of adults with DD and minimize disparities in health and health care.