Building clinical capacity for fetal alcohol spectrum disorder diagnoses in western and northern Canada.

摘要: Background Fetal alcohol syndrome and fetal spectrum disorder are common problems. In response to this problem the Canada Northwest FASD Research Network was established in 2005 by Ministerial Partnership. This study conducted determine clinical activity Northwest. Methods The identified all programs via Internet sites, provincial postings professional word of mouth references that purported do assessments regularly using a multidisciplinary assessment team. Each these sent questionnaire asking about capacity, aggregate diagnostic results, team composition, time cost assessment. Results Of 27 receive 15 responded. These were determined have evaluated 85% patients programs. total 7 jurisdictional capacity for diagnosis 816 evaluations projected be 975 2006. Selection methods appointing seemed excellent as 23% those assessed found FAS or pFAS another 44% had other forms FASD. most professionals participate Paediatricians, Clinical Psychologists, Speech Language Pathologists Occupational Therapists. Interpretation Clinics developing western northern diagnose with Comparing experiences clinics can help continued need increase standardize approaches assure consistency approach across sites appropriately staff fund Key words: FASD; diagnosis; Canada; clinics.