Pediatric care for children with sickle cell disease (SCD) presents unique challenges due to the complex medical and social needs of this population. A recent study titled "Addressing unmet basic needs for children with sickle cell disease in the United States: clinic and staff perspectives" sheds light on the barriers and facilitators experienced by clinic staff in addressing these needs. This blog will explore how practitioners can enhance their skills by implementing the study's findings or by conducting further research.

Understanding Unmet Basic Needs

Unmet basic needs, such as food insecurity, housing instability, and lack of access to utilities, significantly impact the health outcomes of children with SCD. The study highlights that over 90% of children with SCD have at least one unmet basic need. These needs exacerbate the medical complexities associated with SCD, such as severe pain episodes and increased risk of infections.

The Role of Clinic Staff

Clinic staff play a crucial role in identifying and addressing these unmet needs. The study found that staff believe they have a responsibility to support families beyond medical care. However, their capacity to do so often depends on caregivers' ability to act on recommendations and is limited by organizational constraints.

Building Trust and Rapport

One key finding is the importance of building trust and rapport with families. This relationship encourages families to disclose their needs, allowing clinic staff to provide targeted support. Practitioners should focus on fostering strong relationships with patients and their families to effectively address their holistic needs.

Challenges Faced by Clinic Staff

• Organizational Constraints: Limited resources and systemic barriers hinder the ability of clinic staff to fully address unmet needs.
• Caregiver Capacity: The effectiveness of interventions often relies on caregivers' ability to access external resources.
• Systemic Factors: Broader societal issues, such as healthcare policies and socioeconomic disparities, impact the ability to meet patients' basic needs.

Strategies for Improvement

The study suggests several strategies that practitioners can implement to improve care for children with SCD:

Implementing Systematic Screening

Pediatric clinics should adopt systematic screening processes for social determinants of health (SDoH) to identify unmet basic needs early. This proactive approach can help connect families with necessary resources more efficiently.

Incorporating Community Health Workers (CHWs)

Embedding CHWs within clinic teams can bridge the gap between medical care and social services. CHWs can assist families in navigating community resources, thereby alleviating some of the burdens on clinical staff.

Advocating for Policy Change

Practitioners should advocate for policy changes that address systemic barriers to accessing basic needs. Collaborating with legal experts through medical-legal partnerships can help families navigate complex systems like housing and immigration services.

The Importance of Further Research

This study highlights significant gaps in addressing SDoH within pediatric subspecialty care. Practitioners are encouraged to engage in further research to explore innovative solutions and share best practices across clinics. By doing so, they can contribute to a more equitable healthcare system for children with SCD.

Conclusion

The insights from this study underscore the critical role practitioners play in addressing unmet basic needs among children with SCD. By implementing systematic approaches, fostering strong patient relationships, and advocating for systemic change, healthcare providers can enhance care delivery and improve health outcomes for this vulnerable population.

To read the original research paper, please follow this link: Addressing unmet basic needs for children with sickle cell disease in the United States: clinic and staff perspectives.