Exploring Stakeholder Service Navigation Needs for Children with Developmental and Mental Health Diagnoses

Area of Science:

• Pediatric healthcare
• Health services research
• Social determinants of health

Background:

• Children with neurodevelopmental/mental health diagnoses require specialized services, often facing barriers due to socioeconomic marginalization.
• Service navigation programs are crucial for accessing therapies and community resources, yet few studies involve diverse stakeholders in resource-limited settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore stakeholder experiences with a pilot service navigation program in a resource-limited setting.
• To identify key elements of an effective service navigator role.
• To inform the development of a revised service navigation program for children with complex needs.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative formative study using phenomenology.
• In-depth interviews with 25 stakeholders (caregivers, pediatricians, allied health, administrators, navigator).
• Thematic analysis of data within and across stakeholder groups.

Main Results:

• All participants reported pre-program challenges accessing services.
• Caregivers experienced frustration with a fragmented system; providers cited time and knowledge limitations.
• The navigator's multifaceted role included support, liaison, and advocacy.

Conclusions:

• Caregivers and providers face significant barriers in accessing services for children with developmental/mental health needs.
• Service navigation programs integrated into pediatric clinical teams can enhance access to essential services.