Opportunities and difficulties with providing child healthcare through team-based visits in child healthcare services – a focus group study

Abstract

Background: The Swedish Child Healthcare services (CHS) includes team-based visits. Team-based visits are defined as physical meetings where different professionals, including the child and his or her parents, participate at the same time at the same place. This study aimed to explore healthcare professionals’ experiences of these visits to better understand the opportunities and difficulties in meeting the unique needs of children and their families through team-based visits. Methods: An explorative qualitative design. Data were obtained through seven digital focus group interviews (FGDs) with 34 professionals within CHS, following the guidelines provided by Krueger and Casey. Results: All professional groups perceived great opportunities with team-based visits. Optimal team-based visits meant accessible and safe family support, based on children’s and families’ needs. Trustful relationships with someone in the team, can promote families’ trust in the team, the assessment process, and healthcare organizations. For optimal team-based visits in CHS, professional competence, as well as organizational structures, are required. However, without enabling factors, here can be opposite effects on all those involved. Conclusions: Optimal team-based visits in CHS delivered in the right way, at the right time, by the right individuals can be an efficient and comprehensive way to meet the unique needs of children and families.