Continuity and coordination of care during and after neonatal intensive care

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Healthcare Management
• Neonatal Care

Background:

• Children treated in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) often have long-lasting health problems.
• Continuity and coordination of care are crucial for managing complex pediatric health conditions.
• Parental experiences are key indicators of healthcare system effectiveness.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate parental satisfaction with care continuity and coordination for children with long-term health issues after NICU discharge.
• To identify specific age groups or care phases where continuity and coordination are most challenging.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional survey was conducted using a validated tool to measure continuity and coordination scores.
• Parental experiences were assessed across four age groups: NICU newborns, ex-NICU preschool, primary school, and secondary school children.
• Data were collected from 211 parents (n=51, n=50, n=53, n=57 respectively).

Main Results:

• Overall parental satisfaction was lowest regarding the consistency of care for children's specific needs.
• Parents of primary school-aged children reported the most significant challenges, followed by parents of secondary school-aged children.
• Parents expressed positive opinions on other aspects of care continuity and coordination.

Conclusions:

• Neonatal follow-up care should extend beyond early childhood to include primary and secondary school ages.
• Healthcare providers must remain attentive to the evolving developmental needs of children with chronic conditions.
• Improving care continuity and coordination is essential for children with long-term health issues post-NICU.