Abstract

Children with complex illness present a challenge to our current system of care organization. This paper explores the policy issues raised by this new and specific population of pediatric patients, and suggests that effective system re-engineering must consider both the broader demographic and economic realities informing health system decision-making as well as the dominant health policy prerogatives of the health system writ large. The fundamentals of the policy process will be emphasized and a road map for change will be presented.

Keywords: Child health policy, medically complex children, chronic conditions, health services research