Family-centered care for children with medical complexity: A goal-planning initiative

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Healthcare
• Family-Centered Care
• Clinical Tools & Interventions

Background:

• Medically complex pediatric patients require coordinated, family-centered care planning.
• Effective communication and goal setting are crucial for managing chronic pediatric conditions.
• Outpatient settings present unique challenges for comprehensive goal planning.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the utility of a family-centered goal-planning tool for pediatric patients with complex medical needs.
• To assess the tool's effectiveness in facilitating goal-oriented discussions during outpatient visits.
• To understand the role of provider-family rapport in the goal-planning process.

Main Methods:

• A family-centered goal-planning tool was piloted by nurse practitioners (NPs).
• The study involved a cohort of pediatric patients with complex medical conditions.
• Implementation occurred during routine outpatient clinic appointments.

Main Results:

• The goal-planning tool served as an effective reminder for discussing patient and family goals.
• Successful goal discussions were contingent upon established trust and rapport between providers and families.
• The tool facilitated a more structured approach to goal setting in the outpatient setting.

Conclusions:

• Family-centered goal-planning tools can enhance communication for medically complex pediatric populations.
• Establishing provider-family trust is a prerequisite for effective utilization of goal-planning tools.
• Further integration of such tools may improve care coordination and patient outcomes.