Expert Panel Report

The OCFP and our partners undertook a research project to support a comprehensive child assessment at 18 months. The expert Panel convened by the OCFP submitted its report to the Ministry of Children and Youth Services on September 30, 2005.  


18 Month Well Baby Visit Expert Panel Report
Not so long ago, the nature-nurture debate was just that. Today, we know so much more thanks to the landmark work by Dr. Fraser Mustard and Margaret McCain. The importance of the “Early Years” (ages zero to six) to lifelong health and well-being is now well recognized and anchored in the notion of organ plasticity.

From preconception to adolescents, organs continue to develop according to a set pattern. These patterns can be disrupted. Good parenting and early childhood education helps children reach their full potential and beyond. Moreover, resilience to chronic diseases can be built in during this crucial period of development. In the case of development delays or problems such as autism or fetal alcohol syndrome, the earlier the problem is diagnosed and treatment is begun, the more likely it is that good results will follow. Under these circumstances, having solid tools to systematically assess infants and children becomes vitally important. The well-regarded, and now almost universally used, Rourke Baby Record has been updated and an Ontario version of the RBR is available on our web-site. The Ontario version emphasizes the 18 month visit as a key milestone in the development of a child. It also refers to the Healthy Child Development selected guidelines/resources. Please download copies for use in your practice and attend a Healthy Child Development Program through our CME-on-the-Road program. Our hats are off to Dr. Leslie Rourke for making a lasting contribution to Canadian children and the family doctors who serve them so well.


Report on the Evidence to Support the 18 Month Well Baby Visit

To ensure that family doctors, pediatricians, nurses and nurse practitioners understand the strength of the evidence supporting a comprehensive assessment of toddlers during the 18 month visit, the OCFP was funded to conduct a review of the literature and well baby visit guidelines. The results of the process review conducted by the Expert Panel used a consensus-building process to establish a series of recommendations aimed at standardizing the 18 month visit. The standardization of the processes used at the 18 Month Well Baby Visit will ensure that all toddlers in the province are appropriately assessed and referred to community-based series such as Early Childhood Centers to enhance healthy development and effective parenting in the critical early years.

While the recommendations included have the need for the inclusion of a guideline for the 18 month visit, the OCFP in collaboration with the Guidelines Advisory Committee reviewed the evidence and developed a clinical report addressing identified topic areas related to the 18 months and embedded in the Rourke Baby Record supported by the Nippissing District Developmental Screen.


Final Report for the Evidence to Support the 18 Month Well Baby Visit
18 Month Well Baby Visit - Executive Summary