title: Services for children with developmental co-ordination disorder: an evaluation against best practice principles.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The National Health Service in Scotland published a best practice framework to support occupational therapists and physiotherapists to deliver effective services for children with developmental co-ordination disorder (DCD); however, adherence is variable. To highlight areas for development, this study compared the care pathway within a paediatric DCD service against the NHS Scotland framework.
  
  
  METHODS
  A partnership of researchers and clinicians based in the United Kingdom conducted a qualitative study with 37 participants (N = 13 interview participants, N = 24 workshop participants). In-depth interviews and/or workshops were used to map the DCD service against the NHS framework. Identified gaps were aligned with four key stages of the care pathway. Qualitative analysis software was used to analyse the data.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Core principles to guide future development were identified for each phase of the pathway. These core principles related to the NHS framework and focused on issues such as involving the family, defining clear pathways and enhancing children's participation. Participants identified potential strategies for service improvement such as developing community-based interventions and information provision.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Challenges when providing services for children with DCD include confusing service pathways and poor partnership working. It is, therefore, important that clinicians utilise collaborative working strategies that support children's participation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There are numerous challenges related to the implementation of best practice principles into the provision of therapy services for children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD). It is important that AHPs seek ways of engaging parents and educational professionals at all stages of the care pathway in order to ensure optimum service provision for the child. Addressing participation is an important aspect and community-based strategies may be particularly beneficial, both as a preventative activity and as an intervention approach.
authors.affiliation: a Occupational Therapy Research Area, School of Health Sciences, Queen Margaret University , Edinburgh , UK .
authors.forename: Jacqueline
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pentland
authors.affiliation: a Occupational Therapy Research Area, School of Health Sciences, Queen Margaret University , Edinburgh , UK .
authors.forename: Donald
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Maciver
authors.affiliation: b NHS Lothian , Scotland , UK , and.
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Owen
authors.affiliation: a Occupational Therapy Research Area, School of Health Sciences, Queen Margaret University , Edinburgh , UK .
authors.forename: Kirsty
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Forsyth
authors.affiliation: b NHS Lothian , Scotland , UK , and.
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Irvine
authors.affiliation: c Stirling Institute for People Centered Healthcare Management, University of Stirling , Stirling , UK.
authors.forename: Mike
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Walsh
authors.affiliation: a Occupational Therapy Research Area, School of Health Sciences, Queen Margaret University , Edinburgh , UK .
authors.forename: Miriam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Crowe
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002662:Child Health Services / Q000592:standards*; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000592:standards*; D019988:Children with Disabilities; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D019957:Motor Skills Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D009788:Occupational Therapy; D010290:Parents; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012606:Scotland; D013222:State Medicine; D013315:Stress, Psychological
keywords: Child health services; Scotland; developmental co-ordination disorder; motor skills disorders; occupational therapy; physiotherapy; practice development; practice guidelines