| Project Objectives / Summary:
To upgrade the skills of the GPs in the New England region in the healthcare of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). The proposed model offers a new approach to health care for the intellectually disabled by linking carers, support organisations and GPs. It offers a coordinated approach with GPs in a central role and offers sustainability through use of Enhanced Primary Care items and case conferencing. The proposed program would underline the need for comprehensive consultations for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), to ensure that all potential and existing medical disorders are checked.
Project Outcomes:
Despite an extensive delay in finalising ethics approval, the project achieved most of the original aims. Some elements of the Patient Held Record could not be completed. The delay also impacted on the level of involvement by GPs and patients although good results were still achieved.
The primary resource developed was an annual health checklist based on 15 key health targets. This was used successfully by GPs and has attracted interest from outside the Division. The annual health checklist and the Patient Held Record that was developed are seen as highly useful tools for treatment of IDD patients.
The level of awareness of the particular issues of health care for people with an IDD was raised significantly, not only among GPs but with carers and other agencies.
Recommendations:
- All adults with an intellectual / developmental disability have an annual health assessment with their GP
- The project has identified a need for a Divisions specific ethics committee or similar.
- A follow-up evaluation of participants be conducted 12-months after the close of the project to determine how many are still having annual health checks
- The checklist is re-released with suggested amendments to all GPs in the New England Division of General Practice.
- Consideration is given to distributing the checklist on a wider basis.
- Consideration is given to further encouraging the target population (people with I/DD) to visit their GPs for an annual health check, especially those not identified through the project. It is recommended that this occur via the regional media.
Disseminating Project Information:
- GPs in area: Phone contact with all surgeries in the Division; with a follow up visit to most surgeries
- Other agencies: Attended most disability inter-agencies in the Division area to discuss project and solicit support; Written information distributed via post and HACC regional newsletter.
- Magazine article: Short article published in Intellectual Disability Australia magazine, July 2001.
- Conference Presentations:
- Sharing the Road; Support Worker Conference Brisbane, June 2001. NSW Alliance of Divisions of General Practice Forum Sydney, July 2001.
- 36th Annual Conference Australian Society for the Study of Intellectual Disability, November 2001.
- Abstract accepted Hippocrates & Socrates (CHERI) conference Westmead, March 2002.
- Poster Presentation: Australian Divisions of General Practice National Forum, Sydney, November 2001.
- Abstract developed for journal publication.
Lessons:
It is unfortunate that the delay in finalising ethics approval impacted on the project. This area is one where medical problems are often not recognised or poorly managed. Nonetheless, the work undertaken has met a need and appears quite transferable. This is highlighted by it proposed uptake by the NSW Department of Disability and Home Care.
The Division notes the encouraging response by both GPs and patients, including the intention to continue both the annual health checklist and the personal health record on an ongoing basis.
It would be beneficial to examine the experience of both GPs and patients after a period of at least a year to see if the tools are still being used and to attempt to measure the results. |
