Now that your patient with DD has been identified and invited in, it is time for the Health Check! The Developmental Disability Primary Care Initiative (DDPCI) has created a number of valuable clinical tools that will be helpful at this time.
The Preventive Care Checklists (male and female), form the basis for the Health Check. Other resources include disease and syndrome-specific Health Watch Tables, algorithms and guidelines, and cover topics from psychotropics, behaviour management, and capacity - to name a few.
The goal of this section of the Toolkit is to provide you with various resources that can augment the use of these tools in your site. Our pilot work was completed with Practice Solutions and OSCAR, so when available, we include examples developed or modified for these users. We also include some additional materials that can be downloaded and edited for use outside of the EMR. (handouts, posters etc.)
CPX Forms/Health Check Templates: Practice Solutions & OSCAR
These include sample versions from Practice Solutions and OSCAR. These templates give a sense of how the Preventive Care checklists, available from the DDPCI, can be edited to also include clinical information and resource material at the point of care. Where available, these versions have been uploaded into EMR Community Portals, which can be freely downloaded for insertion into your EMR.
Systems Review for People with DD
This handout provides a visual representation of the guideline-recommended preventive maneuvers, that may be covered during a Health Check. You may note some of the differences for this population, when compared to the general population. This tool can be printed out and hung in staff areas, for example.
Commonly Missed Diagnoses
We know that adults with DD have particular health needs. We also know that there are underlying medical issues that may be missed – particularly when an individual presents in a state of crisis. This resource, developed by Dr. Liz Grier, provides a 1 page guide of what to look for when doing a head-to-toe and you wish to look beyond your usual assessment.
Updating the Cumulative Patient Profile
A suggestion is the idea of identifying, or adding in core information specific to adults with DD that would be important to note, edit or track from one visit to another. For this reason, we suggest that updates be made to the CPP. This page provides an overview of what may be helpful to include.
Coordinated Care Plans
This is a guide to completing CCPs, and explains how they can be used to support planning for individuals with complex needs. A brief overview is also given about Health Links, and how these CCPs fit in.
Today's Visit
This is a tool that can be used to assist patients with their follow up. It is meant to be completed by the provider, with the patient, and provides prompts on summarizing the visit and next steps, using clear and simple language. An online version is available for Practice Solutions users.
Developmental Services Ontario
This handout provides an overview of what the DSO is and gives contact information for the 9 DSO sites.
Template for Local Speciality Services
In addition to clinical tools, it is helpful to know the locally-available specialty services and providers who have comfort or expertise in providing care for people with DD. This template lists the types of services that would be important to seek out for your area. In Ontario, a suggestion may be to collaborate with your local Health Care Facilitator (regionally available expert from the CNSC) in the event they can assist with populating components of this list.
Financial Resources for People with DD
Adults with DD are likely to experience higher rates of poverty than adults without DD. As such, we prepared information on financial resources for which your patient may be eligible for. This resource is based on Ontario programs.
Educational Videos
A listing of freely-available online teaching videos, demonstrating best practices assessment and communication skills.
Transitions Toolkit
The transition from pediatric to adult services is a significant one for people with DD. Familiar sources of support are likely to terminate, which can be very distressing and disruptive. Transitions can improve with good planning and foresight. This resource is important to review with adolescent patients and their caregivers, or young adults who are now entering your practice site.
Developmental Disabilities: Internet Links
A list of links to useful health care resources websites related to patients with DD.
