Integrated care for children living with complex care needs: an evolutionary concept analysis

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Pediatric Healthcare
• Health Informatics

Background:

• Children with complex care needs (CCNs) require enhanced healthcare access, communication, and support.
• Integrated care is crucial for delivering family-centered services to children with CCNs.
• Existing definitions of integrated care lack conceptual clarity for this population.

Purpose of the Study:

• To clarify the definition of integrated care for children with complex care needs.
• To identify key components and delivery mechanisms of integrated care for CCNs.

Main Methods:

• An evolutionary concept analysis was performed on existing literature.
• The analysis aimed to define integrated care within the context of children with CCNs.

Main Results:

• Integrated care for children with CCNs is defined as highly specialized, individualized care.
• This care is delivered within or across services and co-produced by interdisciplinary teams, families, and children.
• Digital health technologies support the delivery of integrated care for children with CCNs.

Conclusions:

• There is a need for further research to develop measurement tools for integrated care.
• Variations in study designs, outcomes, and populations necessitate standardized assessment methods.