Social paediatrics: creating organisational processes and practices to foster health care access for children ‘at risk’

Abstract

In recent years understanding and addressing child health inequities has become a priority for research and practice. In this paper we share research insights on an approach that shows promise for engaging across the spectrum of health services to foster access to services and supports for child development to reduce child health inequities. As pathways of influence on children’s health and development extend beyond the biomedical domain new approaches to practice are needed to foster health care access and to mobilise needed supports. The Social Paediatrics Initiative has been introduced in one of Canada’s poorest inner city neighbourhoods where a disproportionate number of children experience adverse childhood events and enter school developmentally delayed. The research was undertaken in partnership with practitioners, community based organisations and the formal health services sector. The study gathered data from parents, community members and clinicians to understand the range of conditions that interfere with access to health care and to illustrate the ways the Social Paediatrics Initiative sought to foster access and provide care that was responsive to the health and developmental needs of children at risk because of their social and material circumstances. In particular we illustrate ways in which intersectoral and interdisciplinary partnerships enabled clinicians to provide needed supports to address the social determinants of health.