Supporting alternate level of care patients with a dual diagnosis to transition from hospital to home
Adults with developmental disabilities who also have a psychiatric condition, often referred to as a dual diagnosis, face a significantly higher risk of becoming Alternate Level of Care (ALC) patients. These individuals no longer require hospital-level care but remain hospitalized due to a lack of suitable community settings with necessary supports for discharge. ALC patients, in some instances, endure extended hospital stays, which can lead to adverse outcomes for them and treatment delays for other patients in need of hospital care.
In this report, the H-CARDD team presents a comprehensive set of principles and core components designed to guide and support the successful transition of ALC patients with a dual diagnosis from hospitals to community settings in Ontario.
Download a copy of the Full Report - Summary - Summary in French - Easy Read Version
Making the Invisible Visible: H-CARDD provincial meeting
On February 23, 2016, the Making the Invisible Visibleprovincial meeting hosted by H-CARDD brought together policy and practice stakeholders from across Ontario to:
- reflect on our research findings
- highlight opportunities for changing the health and health service trajectories of adults with developmental disabilities
- develop strategic actions for health care policy and practice
Eighty-six individuals participated in this meeting, including clinicians, health planners from different LHINs, executive directors, representatives of community, social, health care and advocacy organizations, and policy makers from five Ontario ministries.
Download and read a summary of the proceedings of Making the Invisible Visible. This report includes key research findings and opportunities for action.
Town Hall Reports
In 2014-2015 H-CARDD hosted a series of Town Halls on the health and health care of people with developmental disabilities in Ontario. Research findings and discussions were captured in Town Hall reports. Please click on the links below for a report of each of these Town Halls.
- Gaps in health care for individuals with developmental disabilities and mental health or addiction issues - February 12, 2015
- Women and mothers with developmental disabilities: priorities for action - January 19, 2015
- Health status and service use in transition age youth with developmental disabilities - December 11, 2014
Applied Health Research Question Reports and Summaries
Applied Health Research Questions (AHRQs) are questions about health care in developmental disabilities that any knowledge user in Ontario (e.g., health care providers, policy makers, researchers) can ask of scientists from the H-CARDD team.
The AHRQ initiative has been put in place to address the many barriers that tend to separate knowledge users from researchers. The process is intended to support knowledge exchange among policy makers, service providers, development/planning staff, and researchers. This process can help to identify research needs and gaps in evidence across the system and in turn inform policy development and service delivery.
The AHRQ process is funded by the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. H-CARDD has answered several AHRQs on various topics, from medication use among adults with DD to issues related to aging. Read the summaries of AHRQ reports.
Atlas on the Primary Care of Adults With Developmental Disabilities in Ontario
The Atlas on the Primary Care of Adults with Developmental Disabilities in Ontario describes, for the first time, the health status of these adults, their use of health care relative to other adults, and the extent to which the primary care they receive is consistent with established clinical guidelines.
Download a copy of the Full report / Summary / Summary in French.
