Related Experiment Videos
The general pediatrician as care coordinator for children with chronic illness
1Panorama Pediatric Group, Rochester, N.Y.
Insights
General pediatricians can coordinate care for children with chronic illnesses, improving medical, emotional, social, and developmental outcomes. This role requires specific skills that can be developed through continuing education for greater patient and family support.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Healthcare Coordination
- Chronic Illness Management
Background:
- Increasing prevalence of chronic childhood illnesses due to medical advancements.
- Families of these children require comprehensive support.
- Existing care models may not adequately address multifaceted needs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the essential role of pediatric care coordinators.
- To establish the primary pediatrician as the ideal candidate for this role.
- To outline the necessary skills and commitment for effective care coordination.
Main Methods:
- Literature review on pediatric chronic illness care.
- Analysis of the pediatrician's position within the healthcare team.
- Identification of key competencies for care coordination.
Main Results:
- Primary pediatricians are well-positioned to act as care coordinators.
- Effective coordination requires knowledge of patient/family needs, interprofessional collaboration, and sensitivity to functional status.
- Significant time and effort commitment is necessary.
Conclusions:
- Pediatricians can successfully transition into care coordinator roles.
- Acquisition of specific skills through continuing education is feasible.
- Fulfilling this role offers significant professional satisfaction and improves patient outcomes.
Abstract:
As the number of children with chronic illness increases due to advances in medical technology, general pediatricians are faced with the challenge of providing continuing care for such patients. These children and their families are most in need of a care coordinator to guide them through the complexities of obtaining optimal care in all aspects: medical, emotional, social, and developmental. The primary pediatrician is logically positioned to assumed the role of care coordinator. This undertaking requires a knowledge of the needs of such children and their families, an ability to interact with other professionals as member of a team, a sensitivity to the overall functional status of the child and family, and a commitment of a large amount of time and effort. Although these skills are rarely taught during residency training, they can be acquired through continuing education, thereby allowing the pediatrician to experience the satisfaction that derives from helping someone truly in need.