Care coordination for children with special health care needs and roles for physical therapists

The purpose of this article is to summarize the research on the possible benefits of care coordination for children with special health care needs and explore potential roles for physical therapists in care coordination, including roles as primary care coordinators, members of interprofessional teams, advocates, and researchers.

The medical home model is described. Benefits of care coordination are reviewed. Potential roles for physical therapists in care coordination are outlined. The barriers to care coordination are reviewed and recommendations to reduce barriers and better prepare therapists for care coordination are offered.

Therapists need to be aware of and adapt to change in care models to be the provider of choice.