Grant: Project Grant

Adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities have more health problems than adults without these disabilities and are more likely to experience negative health outcomes including hospitalizations and dying at a younger age. These bad outcomes can likely be minimized or prevented by improving primary care for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In Ontario, the available models of primary care differ in how doctors are paid, and in whether doctors or nurse practitioners work together in teams with other healthcare professionals (e.g., pharmacists, dietitians, and occupational therapists). Currently, little is known about which types of primary care practices are more likely to care for patients with intellectual and developmental disabilities and which support better care. This study will look at how primary care is provided to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Ontario in different primary care practice models. Our study team will examine which of these models can best help people with these disabilities avoid getting hospitalized and have better patient care experiences. We will use information from people's health records as well as from interviews with adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, their caregivers and primary care providers. This information will help us understand what aspects of primary care work well and what can be improved to make healthcare better for people with these disabilities in Ontario. Results may also be helpful in other parts of Canada with similar primary care models to Ontario. This project supports the overall goals of improving health outcomes for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities by improving delivery of primary care.