Integrated, Family-based, Partial Hospital Treatment for Complex Pediatric Illness

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Medicine
• Family Systems Psychology
• Healthcare Management

Background:

• Complex pediatric illnesses often resist standard outpatient and inpatient treatments.
• Over 2000 children with diverse diagnoses have been treated, indicating a broad applicability.
• Family beliefs and distress can significantly impede treatment success in pediatric care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe a unique treatment program for complex pediatric illness.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of a family systems orientation, integrated care, and partial hospital setting.
• To empower children and families to gain control over chronic or complex illnesses.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a multidisciplinary team functioning as a 'meta-family'.
• Integrated family systems orientation, comprehensive care, and a partial hospital setting.
• Focused on modifying family explanatory models of illness and treatment participation.

Main Results:

• The program addresses over 80 different ICD-9 diagnoses in children.
• Families reported significant emotional distress, low functioning, and poor quality of life at intake.
• Families responded similarly to the experience of a seriously ill child, irrespective of the child's specific diagnosis.

Conclusions:

• A program addressing both specific pediatric diseases and non-categorical family responses to illness is effective.
• The integrated approach fosters an environment for families to modify beliefs and engage in effective medical care.
• Empowering both children and parents leads to favorable treatment responses in complex pediatric illness.