Obtaining information from other sources

It may be useful to obtain health information about the person with developmental disability from other sources. As with any patient, this requires consent. The person with developmental disability may be able to give this consent directly, or need support or a substitute decision maker; see Consent, capacity and decision making.

Sources of information about the person’s health may include:

  • family, carers, support workers
  • support organisation(s)
  • other health services (eg hospital, specialist, allied health team members)
  • personal health record (eg My Health Record, patient passport).

If a support person is unfamiliar with the person or their current problem, ask if there is someone familiar that you might call. If this is not possible, and the matter is not urgent, ask the person to return with a support person who knows them better, or when someone who knows the person well will be available by phone.

Liaise with the family or support organisation to clarify the situation and obtain further information if:

  • the matter is urgent
  • sources provide conflicting information.

Be aware that the person’s presenting behaviour may be influenced by their relationship with their support person. To enable private or safety concerns to be raised, offer the person the opportunity to see you without their support person for part of the consultation.

If the person does not have a personal health record, encourage them to start one. Many types of personal health records are available (eg My Health Record). Some have been devised specifically for people with developmental disability, for example:

Note: Encourage people with developmental disability to keep a personal health record.

People with communication difficulties may need accessible information, funding and other supports to enable them to maintain a personal health record—this may include nominating a trusted person to assist them.