Abstract
Introduction:
This systematic review seeks to identify the intended
components of the role of care coordinator for children with complex care needs
and the factors that determine its composition in practice.
Theory and methods:
The initial search identified 1,157 articles, of
which 37 met the inclusion criteria. They were quality assessed using the SIGN
hierarchy of evidence structure.
Results:
Core components of the role include: coordination of care
needs, planning and assessment, specialist support, emotional support,
administration and logistics and continuing professional development.
Influencing factors on the role include the external environment (political and
socio-economic), the internal environment (organisational structure and funding
protocols), the skills, qualifications and experience of the coordinator, the
family circumstances and the nature of the interaction between the care
coordinator and the family.
Discussion:
The lack of consistent terminology creates challenges
and there is a need for greater consensus on this issue. Organisations and
healthcare professionals need to recognise the extent to which contextual
factors influence the role of a care coordinator in practice and plan
accordingly. Despite evidence that suggests that the role is pivotal in ensuring
that care needs are sustained, there remains great variability in the
understanding of the role of a care coordinator for this population.
Conclusions:
As the provision of care increasingly moves closer to
home there is a need for greater understanding of the nature and composition of
the interaction between care coordinators and families to determine the extent
to which appropriate services are being provided. Further work in this area
should take into consideration any potential variance in service provision, for
example any potential inequity arising due to geographic location. It is also
imperative, where appropriate, to seek the views of children with complex care
needs and their siblings about their experiences.
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