Multi-professional and multi-agency model PLUSS to facilitate early detection and support of pre-school children with neurodevelopmental difficulties – a model description
Abstract Background Neurodevelopmental difficulties, such as problems in social inter-relatedness, communication, motor coordination, and attention, are frequent in preschoolers and constitute a risk for later negative consequences. This article describes the development of a multi-professional and...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2022-03-01
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| Series: | BMC Health Services Research |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-022-07815-8 |
| _version_ | 1818774038134128640 |
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| author | Berit M. Gustafsson Samina Steinwall Laura Korhonen |
| author_facet | Berit M. Gustafsson Samina Steinwall Laura Korhonen |
| author_sort | Berit M. Gustafsson |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Neurodevelopmental difficulties, such as problems in social inter-relatedness, communication, motor coordination, and attention, are frequent in preschoolers and constitute a risk for later negative consequences. This article describes the development of a multi-professional and multi-agency model, PLUSS, to facilitate care and interventions for preschoolers with neurodevelopmental difficulties. Methods The PLUSS model was developed for children aged 1.5–5 years with a need for a further assessment of neurodevelopmental symptoms. The model is evaluated using a quasi-experimental study design along with qualitative interviews that study preschool teacher, and parent experiences of PLUSS. Outcomes of interest are a) implementation, b) effectiveness related to processes and multi-agency collaboration, c) capacity building among professionals, d) child-related outcomes with a longitudinal follow-up as well as d) parental wellbeing and satisfaction. Results The model was launched in 2019 and so far, approximately 130 children have been assessed. Results from a pilot study with 62 children (27–72 months; boys: girls 2.65:1) show that the total mean SDQ score in parental rating was 15 ± 6 and in preschool teacher ratings 14 ± 7, exceeding the Swedish cut-off of 12. 54 parents have participated in parental training and rate high levels of satisfaction (mean score 4.5, max 5.0). In addition, 74 pre-school professionals have been trained in early signs of neurodevelopmental difficulties to facilitate early detection. Feedback from participants indicates high satisfaction with educational activities (mean score 4.2, max 5.0 = very satisfied). Conclusions The pilot study shows that the screening procedure can detect children with clinically significant problems. In addition, participant satisfaction is high in parent- and preschool teacher training. The longitudinal study approach enables both child follow-up and evaluation of interventions provided by the working model. Trial registration Clinical Trials 2021, PLUSS identifier, NCT04815889 . First registration 25/03/2021. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-18T10:34:47Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-a3f54d47c4f847a29621a9cf8329f787 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1472-6963 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-18T10:34:47Z |
| publishDate | 2022-03-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Health Services Research |
| spelling | doaj.art-a3f54d47c4f847a29621a9cf8329f7872022-12-21T21:10:46ZengBMCBMC Health Services Research1472-69632022-03-0122111110.1186/s12913-022-07815-8Multi-professional and multi-agency model PLUSS to facilitate early detection and support of pre-school children with neurodevelopmental difficulties – a model descriptionBerit M. Gustafsson0Samina Steinwall1Laura Korhonen2Department of Psychiatry and Rehabilitation, Psychiatric Clinic, Högland Hospital, Region Jönköping CountyDepartment of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Division of Psychiatry and Rehabilitation, Region Jönköping CountyDepartment of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping UniversityAbstract Background Neurodevelopmental difficulties, such as problems in social inter-relatedness, communication, motor coordination, and attention, are frequent in preschoolers and constitute a risk for later negative consequences. This article describes the development of a multi-professional and multi-agency model, PLUSS, to facilitate care and interventions for preschoolers with neurodevelopmental difficulties. Methods The PLUSS model was developed for children aged 1.5–5 years with a need for a further assessment of neurodevelopmental symptoms. The model is evaluated using a quasi-experimental study design along with qualitative interviews that study preschool teacher, and parent experiences of PLUSS. Outcomes of interest are a) implementation, b) effectiveness related to processes and multi-agency collaboration, c) capacity building among professionals, d) child-related outcomes with a longitudinal follow-up as well as d) parental wellbeing and satisfaction. Results The model was launched in 2019 and so far, approximately 130 children have been assessed. Results from a pilot study with 62 children (27–72 months; boys: girls 2.65:1) show that the total mean SDQ score in parental rating was 15 ± 6 and in preschool teacher ratings 14 ± 7, exceeding the Swedish cut-off of 12. 54 parents have participated in parental training and rate high levels of satisfaction (mean score 4.5, max 5.0). In addition, 74 pre-school professionals have been trained in early signs of neurodevelopmental difficulties to facilitate early detection. Feedback from participants indicates high satisfaction with educational activities (mean score 4.2, max 5.0 = very satisfied). Conclusions The pilot study shows that the screening procedure can detect children with clinically significant problems. In addition, participant satisfaction is high in parent- and preschool teacher training. The longitudinal study approach enables both child follow-up and evaluation of interventions provided by the working model. Trial registration Clinical Trials 2021, PLUSS identifier, NCT04815889 . First registration 25/03/2021.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-022-07815-8Preschool childNeurodevelopmentChild health careService developmentInterventionMulti-agency |
| spellingShingle | Berit M. Gustafsson Samina Steinwall Laura Korhonen Multi-professional and multi-agency model PLUSS to facilitate early detection and support of pre-school children with neurodevelopmental difficulties – a model description BMC Health Services Research Preschool child Neurodevelopment Child health care Service development Intervention Multi-agency |
| title | Multi-professional and multi-agency model PLUSS to facilitate early detection and support of pre-school children with neurodevelopmental difficulties – a model description |
| title_full | Multi-professional and multi-agency model PLUSS to facilitate early detection and support of pre-school children with neurodevelopmental difficulties – a model description |
| title_fullStr | Multi-professional and multi-agency model PLUSS to facilitate early detection and support of pre-school children with neurodevelopmental difficulties – a model description |
| title_full_unstemmed | Multi-professional and multi-agency model PLUSS to facilitate early detection and support of pre-school children with neurodevelopmental difficulties – a model description |
| title_short | Multi-professional and multi-agency model PLUSS to facilitate early detection and support of pre-school children with neurodevelopmental difficulties – a model description |
| title_sort | multi professional and multi agency model pluss to facilitate early detection and support of pre school children with neurodevelopmental difficulties a model description |
| topic | Preschool child Neurodevelopment Child health care Service development Intervention Multi-agency |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-022-07815-8 |
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