Implementing Care Coordination for Children with Special Need in Primary Care Practice: Implications for Parent and Provider Education

 The Jacksonville Medical Home Program tested a new model of care-coordination for children with chronic illness, disabilities, or special needs. Nurse care-coordinators were placed on-site in three pediatric offices. A mixed-method design was used to evaluate model implementation. We surveyed families (n=262), conducted semi-structured interviews with pediatricians and nurses; focus groups with parents and nurses; and observed nurses. Results suggest that the introduction of a new primary care coordination model requires particular attention to the preparation of both parents and providers in areas of advocacy, systems negotiation, cultural competence, reflexive practice, and relationship building.