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Choosing a Multidisciplinary Cleft and Craniofacial Team: Medical, Surgical, and Social Considerations
Dillan F Villavisanis1,2, Jessica D Blum1, Natalie M Plana1
1Division of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
Insights
Choosing the right cleft and craniofacial team is crucial for optimal patient outcomes and family support. This article provides evidence-based guidance on selecting a multidisciplinary team for comprehensive care from diagnosis through adulthood.
Area of Science:
- Craniofacial Medicine
- Pediatric Surgery
- Genetics
Background:
- Cleft and craniofacial conditions require multidisciplinary management for functional and esthetic concerns.
- Prenatal or postnatal diagnosis can cause significant parental anxiety and uncertainty.
- Selecting an appropriate cleft and craniofacial team is a critical first step for families.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide evidence-based considerations for selecting a cleft and craniofacial team.
- To guide families and providers in optimizing team selection for long-term patient care.
- To enhance the family and caregiver experience throughout the treatment journey.
Main Methods:
- Review of medical, surgical, and social factors relevant to team selection.
- Synthesis of current knowledge regarding multidisciplinary care for craniofacial anomalies.
- Identification of key elements for effective long-term patient-provider relationships.
Main Results:
- A comprehensive framework for evaluating cleft and craniofacial teams is lacking.
- Key considerations include team expertise, communication, and long-term commitment.
- Optimizing team selection can improve patient outcomes and family satisfaction.
Conclusions:
- Selecting an optimal cleft and craniofacial team is paramount for comprehensive care.
- Medical, surgical, and social factors are essential in the team selection process.
- Evidence-based guidance is needed to support families in choosing the best multidisciplinary team.
Abstract:
Cleft and craniofacial conditions often present with a variety of functional and esthetic sequelae optimally treated by a multidisciplinary approach. Diagnosis of such conditions pre- or postnatally may evoke parental uncertainty and anxiety, and an important primary consideration is the selection of a cleft and craniofacial team. Identifying an optimal team may be particularly important for developing long-term relationships with clinicians who will ideally work intimately with the family from diagnosis to adulthood. While families, parents, and providers should consider several factors, a dearth of evidence-based suggestions preclude critical appraisal of cleft and craniofacial teams. In this article, the authors summarize medical, surgical, and social considerations for selecting a cleft and craniofacial team to optimize patient outcomes and the family/caregiver experience.
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