RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Consensus guidelines for primary health care of adults with developmental disabilities.
JF Canadian Family Physician
JO Can Fam Physician
FD The College of Family Physicians of Canada
SP 1410
OP 1418
VO 52
IS 11
A1 William F Sullivan
A1 John Heng
A1 Donna Cameron
A1 Yona Lunsky
A1 Tom Cheetham
A1 Brian Hennen
A1 Elspeth A Bradley
A1 Joseph M Berg
A1 Marika Korossy
A1 Cynthia Forster-Gibson
A1 Maria Gitta
A1 Chrissoula Stavrakaki
A1 Bruce McCreary
A1 Irene Swift
YR 2006
UL http://www.cfp.ca/content/52/11/1410.abstract
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.