Causes And Consequences - Caring For Patients With Intellectual Disability

Main Category: Neurology / Neuroscience
Also Included In: Public Health
Article Date: 02 Aug 2009 - 1:00 PDT

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Patients with developmental disabilities such as Down syndrome or cerebral palsy will benefit from a new online learning activity launched today by The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) to assist GPs to navigate the complex area of developmental disability.

The new learning activity, which covers different causes of intellectual disability and other developmental disabilities including Down syndrome, cerebral palsy and autism spectrum disorders, is available for free on the RACGP's online learning platform gplearning at http://www.gplearning.com.au. By completing the learning activity GPs will further develop their understanding of developmental disabilities and so be better equipped to provide high quality care to patients with intellectual and other developmental disabilities.

General practitioners are often the first point of contact in the health care system for patients with developmental disabilities such as Down syndrome and cerebral palsy.

"Patients with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and their families, look to GPs for advice and guidance in managing the patient's ongoing healthcare. By completing the training, GPs will be able to provide broad support for the patient and their family, including managing common medical conditions associated with Down syndrome and cerebral palsy," said Dr Chris Mitchell, RACGP President and GP in northern New South Wales.

"Access to information by patients and their carers is the key in ensuring that people with developmental disability can access the best care. GPs can draw on their broad education and clinical experience to play a critical role in providing the information that assists patients with intellectual and associated developmental disabilities to overcome the barriers they can face in accessing effective health care.

"In general practice we treat people, not diseases. The new online learning activity will assist the treating GP to understand the underlying cause of the patients functional developmental disability, plan ahead for the provision of the best care of the patient and be more confident in providing the support the patient needs," said Dr Mitchell.

The online learning module has been linked to the RACGP Curriculum for general practice learning objectives, so is an ideal introduction for best clinical practice of the management of intellectual disability for general practice registrars.

Links and resources for further information and advice are also available from within the activities themselves.

This educational activity was developed with the support of the Australian Government and written by Monash University, Centre for Developmental Disability Health Victoria. This activity is eligible for RACGP QA&CPD Category 2 points.

Source
Royal Australian College of General Practitioners

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