Publications

Family burden. Medical complexity. These commonly used terms can hold different meaning for parents of CSHCN and the professionals who serve them, with consequent impact on how services are provided. Meg Comeau, who combines roles as both parent and professional, suggests that a reexamination is warranted.

It’s probably next to impossible to compile a complete list of services required by children with complex conditions and their families. However, this new classified grouping of services may be useful in care mapping, care planning, creating resource databases, and developing referral systems. 

Though most commonly associated with adults, chronic care management is becoming increasingly important in pediatric practices as the number of children with complex chronic conditions continues to grow. As the need for smooth transition of these patients from pediatric to adult care is increasing, a new analysis sheds some light on the differences between pediatric and adult internal medicine practices.

“Chronic” is a way of providing health care that is too often limited to patients with chronic medical conditions. In a new issue brief, Edward Schor, MD, proposes a definition of chronic care and describes how it should be the care model used not only for children with special health care needs but also for well-child care. Both are intended to promote lifelong health.

The evidence is clear that care in a pediatric medical home results in improved health outcomes, increased family satisfaction, and decreased cost of care. A statewide survey queried California parents on which components of a medical home they most value, and how satisfied they are with the care their child receives. 

Taking a fresh look at the perennial issue of how to provide effective care coordination, a team of researchers has reimagined the process using human-centered design, an approach that focuses on the users’ needs. The goal is to integrate all sectors of care and support – medical, educational, financial and other services – so that care can be delivered effectively and better meet the needs of children, families, providers, and payers.