Synopsis of resource:
Cerebral Palsy for General Practitioners comprises 16 fact sheets covering many aspects of cerebral palsy care including the definition and causes of cerebral palsy, pain management, sleep, communication, early detection and diagnosis, and mental health. The fact sheets cover the lifespan, explain the role of a multidisciplinary team and include issues faced by people getting older with the condition. The fact sheets are intended to be a resource for General Practitioners looking after both children and adults with cerebral palsy. Importantly, two consumers, Natasha Street and Debbie Dorfan, reviewed the fact sheets, and suggested changes which were subsequently incorporated.
Key learning outcomes
- Knowledge of risk factors and causes
- Comorbidities and associated health conditions
- Proactive health care of people with cerebral palsy
- The role of allied health, nursing and medical professionals in the care of people with cerebral palsy
- Managing complexity and referral pathways
Authors
Dinah Reddihough is a paediatrician who has been involved in the clinical care of children with disabilities, particularly cerebral palsy, for over 30 years. Her multidisciplinary research program has focused on gaining an improved understanding of both the causes of childhood disabilities and the optimal interventions for them. She was Chief Investigator on an NHMRC Research Centre of Excellence in Cerebral Palsy (2014-19) and during this time, with the support of an Avant grant, developed the facts sheets in conjunction with her colleagues, Dr Jane Tracy, Ms Tessa de Vries and Ms Susan McCabe.
