Care Coordination
Care Coordination is the organization of a patient’s care across multiple healthcare providers. When healthcare providers don’t coordinate and communicate well with each other, it can lead to confusion about treatments, conflicting messages, and poor outcomes. When providers effectively coordinate care and communicate with each other they are able to understand the needs and preferences of their patients. This can help to keep patients healthier longer, better manage chronic conditions, and experience care that is consistent with their goals.
Care coordination should include co-management; this means primary care providers (PCPs) and specialists work together to plan, deliver, and evaluate patient care. This helps to meet the needs of patients, and it supports the “medical home model” by assuring comprehensive and coordinated care between PCPs and specialists. Communication plays a key role in co-management and collaboration, especially for children and youth with epilepsy (CYE). Reliable and efficient communication between PCPs and specialists about issues such as medications, seizure action plans (SAPs) and treatment options helps to support families achieve the best outcomes for their child.
Ways to support co-management and communication with your health care providers
- Do you have the contact information for my child’s specialist in his/her medical record?
- Did you receive a copy of my child’s seizure action plan (or visit notes) from the specialist?
- Do you have contact information for my child’s PCP in his/her medical record?
- Will you be sending my child’s seizure action plan (or visit notes) to my child’s PCP?