Care coordination for children with special health care needs and roles for physical therapists.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this article is to summarize the research on the possible benefits of care coordination for children with special health care needs and explore potential roles for physical therapists in care coordination, including roles as primary care coordinators, members of interprofessional teams, advocates, and researchers.


CONCLUSIONS
The medical home model is described. Benefits of care coordination are reviewed. Potential roles for physical therapists in care coordination are outlined. The barriers to care coordination are reviewed and recommendations to reduce barriers and better prepare therapists for care coordination are offered.


CONCLUSIONS
Therapists need to be aware of and adapt to change in care models to be the provider of choice.
Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Allied Health, University of Oklahoma Health Science Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA.
Caitlin
C
McSpadden
Mari
M
Therrien
Irene R
IR
McEwen
D000293:Adolescent; D019090:Case Management; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care; D019988:Children with Disabilities / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D010348:Patient Care Team; D026761:Physical Therapy Specialty / Q000379:methods*; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D011361:Professional Competence; D024382:Professional Role