Reasonable adjustments to the application of the comprehensive care standard within an Australian mainstream internal medicine outpatient clinic attended by adults with Down syndrome

Abstract

Background: The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care recommends the development of reasonable adjustments to Comprehensive Care Standard to better suit the needs of people with intellectual disability. Method: An audit of adults with Down syndrome attending a mainstream internal medicine outpatient clinic was undertaken to describe their biopsychosocial profile, identify previously developed reasonable adjustments to clinical service and to consider their alignment with comprehensive care. Results: Of 54 adults, 31 (57%) male, average age 36 years (17.5–68 years), there were multiple syndromal and non-syndromal co-morbidities, 10 deaths (9 expected), from dementia. All had some degree of intellectual disability with all requiring disability supports to assist in their healthcare and an active health-disability interface in most cases. Conclusions: Reasonable adjustments to usual clinical content, process, knowledge, and organisation were identified, which appeared to facilitate application of comprehensive care. These were predominantly influenced by intellectual disability, disability supports, and the health-disability interface rather than the disease profile.