RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Primary care of adults with developmental disabilities
JF Canadian Family Physician
JO Can Fam Physician
FD The College of Family Physicians of Canada
SP 541
OP 553
VO 57
IS 5
A1 Sullivan, William F.
A1 Berg, Joseph M.
A1 Bradley, Elspeth
A1 Cheetham, Tom
A1 Denton, Richard
A1 Heng, John
A1 Hennen, Brian
A1 Joyce, David
A1 Kelly, Maureen
A1 Korossy, Marika
A1 Lunsky, Yona
A1 McMillan, Shirley
YR 2011
UL http://www.cfp.ca/content/57/5/541.abstract
AB Objective To update the 2006 Canadian guidelines for primary care of adults with developmental disabilities (DD) and to make practical recommendations based on current knowledge to address the particular health issues of adults with DD. Quality of evidence Knowledgeable health care providers participating in a colloquium and a subsequent working group discussed and agreed on revisions to the 2006 guidelines based on a comprehensive review of publications, feedback gained from users of the guidelines, and personal clinical experiences. Most of the available evidence in this area of care is from expert opinion or published consensus statements (level III). Main message Adults with DD have complex health issues, many of them differing from those of the general population. Good primary care identifies the particular health issues faced by adults with DD to improve their quality of life, to improve their access to health care, and to prevent suffering, morbidity, and premature death. These guidelines synthesize general, physical, behavioural, and mental health issues of adults with DD that primary care providers should be aware of, and they present recommendations for screening and management based on current knowledge that practitioners can apply. Because of interacting biologic, psychoaffective, and social factors that contribute to the health and well-being of adults with DD, these guidelines emphasize involving caregivers, adapting procedures when appropriate, and seeking input from a range of health professionals when available. Ethical care is also emphasized. The guidelines are formulated within an ethical framework that pays attention to issues such as informed consent and the assessment of health benefits in relation to risks of harm. Conclusion Implementation of the guidelines proposed here would improve the health of adults with DD and would minimize disparities in health and health care between adults with DD and those in the general population.