A Medical Home for Infants, Children, Adolescents and Adults with Special Health Care Needs

Complex Problems Require Comprehensive Solutions 

The physicians and nurse practitioners in Comprehensive Care at MetroHealth lead a team of multidisciplinary health care providers to deliver holistic primary care to patients of all ages with multiple and complex medical issues.  This group of board certified pediatricians, nurse practitioners, Internal Medicine and Neurodevelopmental specialists, address physical, developmental and behavioral issues of special needs patients.  They work closely to integrate specialty services within MetroHealth, as well as, those in the community.  Patients requiring hospitalization are attended to by the same group who provides their care in the clinic setting. 

The Comp Care Team is Working on Certification as a Medical Home

Certification as a medical home for children with special health care needs will identify an individual responsible for all aspects of care for each patient, including home health care and school forms, special equipment and any additional  needs.  This coordination of care will facilitate timely answers to all aspects of care, including a seamless transition to adult services.    

Transitioning Special Needs Children to Adolescence and Adulthood

The Comprehensive Care Team includes providers who can see patients of all ages.  This means there is no need to change providers when young adults ‘grow out' of pediatric care.   Read more about the Transition Program under "Additional Programs" on this website.

Our Care Team Can Help You and Your Child

Some patients need specialized information about who will provide their care.  Patients with specific medical conditions require health care providers who know how to review those conditions at proper intervals to promote good health.  We have the resources to help coordinate your child's needs.

Also available are social work and psychology services, providing individual assessment, counseling and needed support.  In addition, we can arrange for speech/language and occupational/physical therapy services for our patients. 

This approach to care is especially beneficial for those patients with chronic illness and complicating medical conditions that may arise with spina bifida, cerebral palsy, craniofacial disorders, chromosome disorders, and metabolic diseases.  Families who have a child or adolescent with developmental delays or disabilities including mental retardation, learning disability, attention deficit/hyperactivity may want integrated care that can anticipate special needs and problems.