Role of the general practitioner in the care of a person with developmental disability: overview

The role of a general practitioner (GP) in caring for a person with developmental disability includes:

• identifying and assessing developmental delay and disability
• forming a strong collaborative relationship with the person, their family (including siblings) and carers—see Support for carers and family of people with developmental disability
• overseeing the management of health needs and common health problems over their lifespan—see also Life-stage approach to care
• preventive health care and health promotion
• facilitating a multidisciplinary approach to care
• providing information to the person and their family and carers about the person’s disability and entitlements and services—see Social and functional support and National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

Overall care of a person with developmental disability is improved by familiarity, rapport and continuity within a general practice that has access to the person’s health records.

It is important to maintain as complete a medical history as possible; see considerations when taking a medical history. People with developmental disability may have difficulty providing medical information, and support staff will change over time, so important details can be lost.

A comprehensive medical record should also include any reasonable adjustments (eg accessible information, support for decision making) required to manage the person’s health care. Reasonable adjustments to make a practice disability friendly are discussed here. See also opportunistic examinations and procedures and comprehensive health assessments for people with developmental disability.