Concurrent care for the medically complex child: lessons of implementation

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Palliative Care
• Oncology
• Healthcare Management

Background:

• Palliative care advocacy has led to expanded access to hospice services for pediatric patients.
• Concurrent care allows children to receive both hospice and disease-directed treatments simultaneously.
• This policy shift aims to improve quality of life and symptom management during serious illness.

Observation:

• Implementation of concurrent care for pediatric patients presents unique challenges.
• Case studies highlight five distinct types of difficulties encountered by healthcare teams.
• Medically complex pediatric patients were the focus of these illustrative case studies.

Findings:

• Concurrent care implementation involves logistical, clinical, and communication hurdles.
• Specific challenges include coordinating care between multiple specialists and ensuring consistent communication.
• Navigating insurance and resource allocation for simultaneous treatments requires careful planning.

Implications:

• Addressing these challenges is crucial for successful concurrent care implementation.
• Improved care coordination can enhance the quality of life for pediatric patients with serious illnesses.
• Further research and system-level adjustments are needed to optimize concurrent care delivery.