Stated Purpose

“This app presents, in an easy-to-use format, information on how to provide comprehensive primary care to adults with developmental disabilities from a Canadian perspective. It addresses important considerations such as Approaches to Care (Communication, Capacity, etc.), Assessments (Medications, Pain and Distress, etc.), Physical Health (Respiratory, Gastrointestinal, etc.), and Mental Health (Behaviors that Challenge, Psychiatric Disorders, Psychotropic Medications, etc.). Strength of recommendations and quality of evidence are also presented.”

https://apps.apple.com/ca/app/developmental-disabilities/id1517334408

“This app presents the 2018 Canadian Consensus Guidelines for Primary Care of Adults with Developmental Disabilities in an easy-to-use format, with permission from the copyright holder, the Canadian Family Physician journal. The original article is Open Access and available from the cfp.ca website. It addresses important considerations such as Approaches to Care (Communication, Capacity, etc.), Assessments (Medications, Pain and Distress, etc.), Physical Health (Respiratory, Gastrointestinal, etc.), and Mental Health (Behaviors that Challenge, Psychiatric Disorders, Psychotropic Medications, etc.).

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.devdis&hl=en_US

Features

Dr. Sue, in an interview with Global News, https://globalnews.ca/video/7462930/an-app-to-help-care-for-adults-with-disabilities, mentions that the app will be useful for caregivers of those with disabilities as well.

Dr. Sue also states that permission from the Canadian Family Physician Journal was obtained to provide free access to the app for all. 

Screenshots

Image Source: Developmental Disabilitie‪s, Apple App Store. Retrieved on April 6, 2021 from: https://apps.apple.com/ca/app/developmental-disabilities/id1517334408

Specialties/Disciplines

Family physicians

Caregivers

Notes

App is intended to “help family physicians provide the best treatment for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.” https://www.ualberta.ca/folio/2020/10/new-app-helps-family-doctors-care-for-adults-with-intellectual-and-developmental-disabilities.html

Part 1: Editorial committee, content updates, and evidence grading

Dr. Kyle Sue and his team created Developmental Disabilities to improve medical care for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Prior to June 2020, the 2018 Canadian Consensus Guidelines for Primary Care of Adults with Developmental Disabilities were only made available to subscribers of the Canadian Family Physician Journal.   Intended for family physicians in primary care, but also useful for caregivers of individuals with disabilities, Developmental Disabilities is intended as an educational tool for family physicians who may not be as familiar with a developmentally disabled individual’s needs compared to a specialist.  Dr. Sue emphasized that clear communication using short phrases and simple language is essential when communicating with these patients, and believes that “with the app- on your phone or tablet when you encounter a patient who has a developmental disability, you can just open it right there in the office, using the search function to ask your question and the guidance will pop up.”

https://www.ualberta.ca/folio/2020/10/new-app-helps-family-doctors-care-for-adults-with-intellectual-and-developmental-disabilities.html

Part 2: Source and authorship information for 3 entries

This app is well organized, and the extensive planning that went into its creation is evident.  The 2018 Canadian Consensus Guidelines for Primary Care of Adults with Developmental Disabilities is divided into 4 main sections (Approaches to Care, Assessments and Considerations, Physical Health, and Mental Health)  make it easy to navigate to whatever section is desired.  There is also ample support provided, including the ability to contact the creator, Dr. Sue directly, and also view an FAQ section.  In addition, detailed information about the DD Primary Care Program is provided within the app, as well as a complete listing of Upcoming Conferences to 2022. 

Organization of information

Navigation

The app is both searchable and browsable, thus enabling easy access and navigation to any of the desired 12 tabs.  In addition, Search feature uses keywords to search the guidelines. 

Within a matter of minutes, the user can know how to use the entire app

Extras

User Account required: No

Internet connection required for use: Yes

Text search field: Yes

Browsable content: Yes

Advertisements: No

Pop-up advertisements: No

In-app purchases: No

Devices 

Compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch. Requires iOS 9.0 or later. https://apps.apple.com/ca/app/developmental-disabilities/id1517334408
Last updated (as per App store listing): November 18, 2020  (version 2.2)

Compatible with Android smartphones and tablets. Requires Android OS 4.1 and up. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.devdis&hl=en_US
Last updated (as per Google Play listing): November 8, 2020 (version 4.2)  

Size

25.7 MB (iOS)

11 MB (Android)

App Developer

Dr. Kyle Sue

Navin Seth, Application Developer

Nancy Nguyen, UI/UX Designer

Country of Origin

Canada

Contact

ksue@ualberta.ca
https://www.ualberta.ca/medicine/about/people/details.html?n=Kyle-Sue