Improving the quality of primary care for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities: Value of the periodic health examination.

Objective: To implement a Health Check protocol for patients with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and assess outcomes.

Design: Retrospective chart review and staff survey.

Setting: Two Ontario family health teams.

Participants: Of 276 patients with IDD identified, 139 received the Health Check (Health Check group). A convenience sample (N = 147) of clinical staff participated in the survey.

Main Outcome Measures: The protocol included patient identification, invitation, and modified health examination. Chart review assessed completion of 8 preventive maneuvers, and clinical staff were surveyed on their comfort, knowledge, and skills in care of patients with IDD. Logistic regression analyses were used to compare outcomes for the Health Check and non-Health Check groups, adjusted for practice site.

Results: Documentation of blood pressure, weight, body mass index, and influenza vaccination was significantly higher ( < .001) in the Health Check group, exceeding 70% of patients. Screening rates were higher for mammograms (63% vs 54%), fecal occult blood testing (39% vs 23%), and diabetes testing (80% vs 61%), but not significantly so, and they were similar to general population rates. Papanicolaou test rates were low for both groups (34% vs 32%). Staff comfort and skills were rated significantly higher ( < .05) for those who performed the Health Check. Still, fewer than half thought they had the necessary skills and resources to care for patients with IDD.

Conclusion: Performing the Health Check was associated with improved preventive care and staff experience. Wider implementation and evaluation is needed, along with protocol adjustments to provide more support to staff for this work.