Care Coordination for Pediatric Patients with Medical Complexity
Summary
Children with medical complexity constitute a growing group characterised by multiple chronic conditions, frequent technological dependence and involvement of diverse specialists. Effective care coordination seeks to organise multidisciplinary assessment, treatment and support across care settings, from acute hospitals to home environments. Central to this endeavour is the concept of a medical home: a continuous, family-centred approach in which primary and specialty services work in concert with families to plan and deliver care. Rapid advances in telehealth, digital records and community-based services have enhanced the capacity to monitor health status remotely and to reduce unnecessary hospital visits. Nonetheless, persistent challenges include workforce shortages in paediatric home health, fragmented funding mechanisms and variable recognition of parental expertise. Globally, integrated coordination models have demonstrated reductions in hospital utilisation, improvements in patient and family quality of life and strengthened partnerships among clinicians, families and community agencies.
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Care Coordination for Pediatric Patients with Medical Complexity publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in care coordination for pediatric patients with medical complexity across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Paediatric medical complexity: The condition of children with multiple chronic health issues, often requiring technological support and involvement of several healthcare professionals.
Care coordination: Organising patient care activities and sharing information among all participants to achieve safer and more effective care.
Medical home: A model of primary care that is accessible, continuous, comprehensive, family-centred, coordinated and culturally effective.
Home health care: Delivery of medical and supportive services in the patient’s residence, including nursing, therapy and monitoring of medical devices.
Telehealth: The use of telecommunications technology to provide clinical health care remotely, enhancing access and continuity.
References
- Intense parenting: a qualitative study detailing the experiences of parenting children with complex care needs. BMC Pediatrics (2015).
- Integrated complex care coordination for children with medical complexity: A mixed-methods evaluation of tertiary care-community collaboration. BMC Health Services Research (2012).
- Home Health Care For Children With Medical Complexity: Workforce Gaps, Policy, And Future Directions. Health Affairs (2019).
- Parent Perspective on Care Coordination Services for Their Child with Medical Complexity. Children (2017).
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