Medical Complexity Caregiver ECHO (Spring 2023)

Key Takeaways: 

• Parents and caregivers of children with medical complexity are at higher risk for mental and physical health concerns.
• Parents and caregivers of children with medical complexity face complex stressors and medical trauma.
• There are supports available to help parents and caregivers of children with medical complexity.

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Key takeaways: 

• Red Flags for caregivers experiencing distress may be obvious or subtle.
• Starting a conversation can be as simple as asking a question and spending a few minutes listening.
• Different resources may be helpful for different caregivers.

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Short video (5 minutes): 

How to respond to a caregiver supportively

Key Takeaways: 

• High stakes, strong emotions, and potential opposing opinions can make communication challenging.
• Shared decision-making is an interactive collaborative process where all parties participate and together arrive at a treatment plan.
• Components of communication to keep in mind:

1. What we say
2. The words we use
3. How we say it
4. The delivery method
5. Listening
6. Humble inquiry 
7. Responding

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Suggested reading: 

• Patterson, K., Grenny, J., McMillan, R., & Switzler, A. (2002). Crucial conversations. McGraw-Hill Contemporary.
• Douglas J. Opel; A 4-Step Framework for Shared Decision-making in Pediatrics. Pediatrics November 2018; 142 (Supplement_3): S149–S156. 10.1542/peds.2018-0516E
• Richard C. Adams, Susan E. Levy, COUNCIL ON CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES; Shared Decision-Making and Children With Disabilities: Pathways to Consensus. Pediatrics June 2017; 139 (6): e20170956. 10.1542/peds.2017-0956
• Schein, E. H., & Schein, P. A. (2021). Humble inquiry: The gentle art of asking instead of telling. Berrett-Koehler Publishers.