Children with special healthcare needs (CSHCN) often experience significant interruptions in their education due to prolonged hospitalizations. A recent study published online at Disability and Rehabilitation on July 1, 2024, by a multidisciplinary team of researchers from the Kessler Foundation and Children Specialized Hospital, highlights critical areas that need attention to ensure a smooth re-entry to school for CSHCN, ensuring they receive the necessary educational support after hospitalization.
Involving parents, ex-patients and rehabilitation professionals, the study highlights the need for better coordination and communication to facilitate a smooth transition to school for CSHCN. Entitled Experiences of patients, parents and health professionals in the process of transition from hospital to community after in-hospital pediatric rehabilitation in children with special health needs (https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2024.2362951), the article offers insight into the challenges and solutions to improving school reentry for CSHCN.
Foundation authors are Yu-Lun Chen, PhD, OTR/L. Stephanie Jimenez; Alexa Bartalotta? John O’Neill, PhD; and Amanda L. Botticello, PhD, MPH. Claire M. Marchetta, MPH, is from Children’s Specialized Hospital.
Semi-structured focus groups were conducted with parents (n = 12), former patients (n = 20) and rehabilitation professionals (n = 8).
Through a detailed analysis of recurring themes, we identified three key points that help achieve the best results. However, these steps were not always implemented effectively to achieve the desired results.”
Dr. Yu-Lun Chen, Lead Study Author and Research Scientist, Center for Outcomes and Evaluation Research, Kessler Foundation.
“In-hospital educational supports such as tutoring and homework helped reduce learning loss during hospitalization. However, these supports were sometimes complicated by delays in school approvals and challenges in coordinating across systems,” said Dr. Chen.
“Transition planning included establishing necessary services to support CSHCN’s education and health care needs during re-entry to school, although families cited limited information and guidance as key barriers,” she explained. Providing families with clear and accessible information about transition processes is particularly critical for those dealing with newly acquired health conditions, although families highlighted a lack of information and guidance as significant barriers to effective transition planning.
“Finally, ongoing post-dismissal support was essential, with many participants suggesting that transition plans be reassessed and adapted to take account of evolving developmental and educational needs. However, these supports were sometimes hampered by delays in school approvals and coordination challenges between health care and education systems,” concluded Dr. Chen.
The study highlighted the urgent need to improve communication between clinicians and educators, provide comprehensive information for families, and ensure long-term follow-up of CSHCN’s changing educational needs after rehabilitation.
Source:
Journal References:
Chen, Y.-L., et al. (2024) Experiences of patients, parents and health professionals in the transition process from hospital to community after inpatient pediatric rehabilitation in children with special health care needs. Disability and Rehabilitation. doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2024.2362951.
