Bridging the Gap: Improving Family-Physician Communication During Hospital Transfers
"Learn how better communication and shared decision-making can ease the stress of interfacility transfers for children with special healthcare needs and their families."
For families of children with special healthcare needs (CSHCN), hospital visits can be a frequent part of life. When a child needs specialized care that their local hospital can’t provide, they often undergo what’s known as an interfacility transfer—moving to a hospital equipped to meet their specific needs. While these transfers are meant to ensure the best possible care, they can also be incredibly stressful for families. Effective communication between families and physicians is essential to ease this stress.
A recent study published in "Hospital Pediatrics" sheds light on the experiences of families and physicians during interfacility transfers. Researchers explored the perceptions of both groups to identify areas for improvement in the transfer process, focusing on how family-physician interactions can be optimized to create a more supportive and patient-centered experience.
The study highlights the importance of shared decision-making, understanding families' resource needs, and clear communication. By addressing these key areas, hospitals can reengineer their transfer systems to better support families and ensure smoother transitions for children with special healthcare needs.
Why Family-Physician Communication Matters During Hospital Transfers
The study involved interviews with referring physicians (those sending the child to a specialist facility), accepting physicians (those receiving the child), and family caregivers. The researchers identified three main categories that significantly impact the transfer experience:
- Shared Decision-Making: Families want to be active participants in decisions about their child's transfer, including whether a transfer is necessary, which hospital is best suited for their child's needs, and the mode of transportation. When families are involved in these decisions, they feel more in control and less stressed.
- Awareness of Families' Resource Needs: Transfers can create significant financial and logistical burdens for families, including travel expenses, lodging, childcare, and time off work. Hospitals that are aware of these needs can offer resources and support to help families manage these challenges.
- Communication: Clear, frequent, and bidirectional communication is essential throughout the transfer process. Families need to be kept informed about their child's condition, the reasons for the transfer, what to expect during the transfer, and the plan of care at the receiving hospital.
Practical Steps for Improving Family-Physician Communication During Transfers
So, what can hospitals and healthcare providers do to improve family-physician communication during interfacility transfers? The study authors offer several recommendations: Implement standardized transfer protocols: Standardized protocols can ensure that families receive consistent information and support throughout the transfer process. Provide training for healthcare providers: Training can help providers better understand the challenges faced by families during transfers and how to communicate effectively with them. Offer resources and support: Hospitals can provide resources such as gas cards, meal vouchers, and lodging assistance to help families manage the financial burdens of transfers. Utilize telemedicine: Telemedicine can facilitate two-way communication between families and specialists at the receiving hospital, providing reassurance and answering questions. Encourage shared decision-making: Providers should actively involve families in decisions about the transfer, valuing their input and preferences.