IMPROVING THE AMBULATORY CARE FOR CHILDREN
IN THE EUROPEAN UNION: SOME STRATEGIES
Cannoodt L.*,
Vervaeren K.**
* University Hospital K.U.Leuven, Louvain,
Belgium
** EXECO Consulting, Tielt-Winge, Belgium
Objective:
This study aims
at analysing the organisation of ambulatory care in the various countries
of the European Union (EU). The key question addressed is whether all
children living in the EU are receiving optimal ambulatory care? If not,
what role could the EU and others authorities play to enhance the quality
of health care for these children.
Methods: Leading paediatricians, family
practitioners and public health officials have been interviewed in several
European countries. This round of interviews was supplemented with a
one-day workshop in Brussels, with CESP-members of 14 EU-countries +
Switzerland and Norway.
Results: Even in countries where GP¡¯s
are the key providers in primary care, paediatricians may take on
responsibilities in several ways. They may provide (part of) the follow-up
after hospital discharge; they may take part in ¡°hospital at
home¡±-projects; in the preventive medicine for children, the continuous
education of GP¡¯s, etc¡ Still, the perception among paediatricians remains
that the quality of care might be less guaranteed in countries where the
primary care of children solely relies on GP¡¯s. Formula¡¯s of joint
consultations GP/PED have been suggested, as well as other actions to
promote quality of care among the physicians concerned.
Conclusions:
It is neither
realistic nor preferable to have one model of ambulatory care for the whole
of the EU. The aim should be that all providers are trained to provide a
minimum standard level of care and work closely with the paediatric
specialists. The EU could, in close co-operation with CESP, play a
significant role in developing guidelines of good practice in ambulatory
care for children (which may include some organisational features as well)
and support complementary initiatives at a more local level.