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A Multiprofessional and Intersectoral Working Model to Detect and Support Preschool Children With Neurodevelopmental
Berit M Gustafsson1, Laura Korhonen1
1Linköping University, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linkoping, Sweden.
Insights
The PLUSS model offers integrated support for preschoolers with neurodevelopmental difficulties. This study evaluates its effectiveness in improving child functioning and well-being through early, collaborative interventions.
Area of Science:
- Child Development
- Public Health
- Mental Health Services
Background:
- Neurodevelopmental difficulties in preschoolers are linked to later mental health issues.
- A gap exists in integrated, evidence-based services for early detection and intervention.
- The PLUSS model facilitates collaboration between parents, healthcare, preschools, and social services.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the longitudinal trajectories of neurodevelopmental difficulties and functioning in preschoolers.
- To assess user satisfaction with the PLUSS model.
- To evaluate the implementation and effectiveness of the PLUSS model.
Main Methods:
- A quasi-experimental study involving children aged 1.5-5 years referred for suspected neurodevelopmental problems.
- Data collection via questionnaires and interviews from parents, healthcare providers, and preschool teachers.
- Analysis using qualitative and quantitative methods to assess neurodevelopmental problems, parental well-being, training effectiveness, and collaboration.
Main Results:
- The PLUSS model received ethical approval (2019-04839) and is supported by FUTURUM grants.
- Data collection commenced in April 2019 and is scheduled to conclude in May 2024.
Conclusions:
- PLUSS is an integrative model designed for multiprofessional and intersectoral collaboration for preschool children with neurodevelopmental issues.
- The study employs quasi-experimental, cross-sectional, and longitudinal designs.
- Findings will inform the provision of evidence-based, coordinated services to enhance well-being and functioning.
Background:
Neurodevelopmental difficulties with various emotional and behavioral symptoms increase the risk of mental health problems later in life. Although we know that early detection and interventions are effective, there is a lack of intersectoral, integrative, and evidence-based working models to provide these services for preschool children and their parents. PLUSS (Psykisk hälsa Lärande Utveckling Samverkan kring Små barn; English translation: mental health, learning, development, collaboration around preschool children) is a collaborative "one way in" model involving parents, health care providers, preschools, social services, and researchers. PLUSS provides coordinated services to screen, evaluate, and support toddlers with neurodevelopmental problems. It also offers parental interventions and education for preschool teachers.
Objective:
The model will be studied in a research project that aims to investigate (1) using a quasi-experimental study on longitudinal trajectories of neurodevelopmental difficulties and ability to function among participating preschoolers, (2) user satisfaction, and (3) implementation of the model and its effectiveness. The long-term goal is to provide evidence-based, coordinated services to reduce problems related to neurodevelopmental difficulties among preschool children and promote well-being and functioning in everyday life.
Methods:
The population of interest is children aged 1.5-5 years, whom the child health care nurse refers for further assessment due to suspected neurodevelopmental problems. Data are collected using questionnaires and semistructured interviews. Measures include sociodemographic data, longitudinal data on neurodevelopmental problems, parental well-being and satisfaction, the effectiveness of parental and preschool teacher training and implementation of the model, and fostered multisectoral collaborations. Data will be analyzed with qualitative and quantitative methods.
Results:
The PLUSS model has been approved by the National Ethics Review Board (2019-04839). This study was supported by FUTURUM grants 910161 and 910441. Data collection started in April 2019, with the data collection period planned to end in May 2024.
Conclusions:
PLUSS is an integrative working model with multiprofessional competence and intersectoral collaboration capacity to help preschool children with neurodevelopmental problems and their parents. It will be studied using quasi-experimental cross-sectional and longitudinal study designs. Data will be collected from parents, health care providers, and preschool teachers, and will be analyzed using quantitative and qualitative methods. The study will run in one Swedish county, and generalizability needs to be studied separately. Loss of follow-up could impact the longitudinal analysis.
Trial Registration:
ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04815889; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04815889.
International Registered Report Identifier (Irrid):
DERR1-10.2196/34969.
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