Abstract
Aim: To clarify organizational perspectives on diagnostic evaluations for children with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD), with the goal to enhance interorganizational collaboration and improve accessibility. Method: Focus groups with expert stakeholders in Flanders, Belgium, were organized. Data were analyzed in a continuous, comparative method with researcher and data triangulation, and a member check validation. Results: Fifty-nine people participated in six focus groups. Organizations had no shared vision on diagnostic evaluations of NDD. An interdisciplinary team approach was considered essential. All stakeholders agreed that a diagnostic evaluation is an iterative process along the trajectory of the child. Interpretation: Diagnostic evaluations of NDD should be conceptualized as an integrated process of the child’s care trajectory, differentiating needs-based goals in each phase, and requiring an interdisciplinary team approach. This conceptualization will support a health systems model, allowing interorganizational collaboration to optimize available capacity and increase accessibility.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 88-94 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| Journal | Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology |
| Volume | 64 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| Early online date | 11 Aug 2021 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Jan 2022 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:This article explores the views of stakeholders in Flanders on the organization of the diagnostic process of children with suspected NDD. It is an in‐depth exploration of how fieldworkers see the role of diagnostics. The classification of emerging themes by experts was supported by concepts from the literature.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 The Authors. Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Mac Keith Press.
Copyright:
Copyright 2022 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.