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OBJECTIVES: The caregiving experiences and unique health needs of male caregivers of children and youth with special health care needs (CYSHCN) are not well described. This study seeks to understand potential unmet health needs and attitudes toward supportive resources from the perspective of a sample of male caregivers of CYSHCN. METHODS: This mixed-methods study recruited a convenience sample of 30 men with CYSHCN who receive care for a chronic medical condition from primary care medical homes in Pennsylvania. We conducted semi-structured interviews (SSI), administered quantitative surveys to caregivers, and produced a thematic analysis. The SSI explored the health needs of male caregivers, assessed attitudes toward and preferences regarding supportive resources, and garnered their advice to other caregivers regarding parenting and health care system navigation. RESULTS: Participants' median age is 41 years (IQR: 33, 44), and most (80%) reside full time with their CYSHCN. Most male caregivers deprioritized their own emotional, mental, and physical health needs to support the needs of their families. Many male caregivers articulated interest in seeking emotionally supportive resources (not time-intensive). They advised other male caregivers to remain involved in the medical care and wellbeing of their CYSCHN and to openly seek and receive emotional support despite the daily challenges they face. CONCLUSIONS FOR PRACTICE: Male caregivers of CYSHCN experience intense daily stress and express the need for emotionally supportive resources. Programs designed to facilitate such support may benefit from flexible formats (time and location) and involve male caregivers of CYSHCN as both facilitators and participants.

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OBJECTIVE: Typical primary care practices are often not equipped to meet the medical, developmental or social needs of infants discharged from a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). These needs are exacerbated for infants and caregivers residing in poverty. This article discusses a multidisciplinary, family-centered medical home designed to address the needs of this special population. METHODS: This is a descriptive analysis of a cohort of patients in the Next Steps Program (NSP), a multidisciplinary primary care medical home. Key program elements include: continuity of care from the NICU to primary care, routine developmental surveillance, care coordination, and proactive screening to address medical and social needs. RESULTS: The NSP has become a primary referral source for local NICUs, with a total of 549 medically fragile infants enrolled from its inception in 2011 through 2016. Caregivers and patients experience psychosocial stressors at averages statistically significantly higher than the rest of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the US. Although patients in the program use medical resources beyond that of typically developing infants, hospital utilization among this patient cohort is trending down. DISCUSSION: Caring for medically fragile NICU graduates can be daunting for families given the array of necessary services, supports, and resources to maximize their potential. A multidisciplinary primary care medical home, such as the NSP, is a successful model of patient care demonstrating favorable associations with health care utilization, care coordination, and addressing/improving family functioning and their experience.

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Background. Evidence suggests that children and youth with special health care needs (CYSHCN) have decreased physical activity compared to peers. This study describes weight status and physical activity in CYSHCN and identifies factors associated with physical activity and community resources to promote physical activity. Methods. Parents (n = 21) and CYSHCN (n = 23) were recruited from a pediatric clinic. The most prevalent diagnoses were autism (n = 7, 30%) and cerebral palsy (n = 3, 13%). Interviews were conducted with parents for information on physical activity and community resources. Children's height and weight were measured to calculate body mass index (BMI). Results. The majority of CYSHCN (n = 13, 59%) were obese. CYSHCN did not meet recommended levels of 60 minutes of daily physical activity and engaged in more screen time than recommended. More children with cognitive/behavioral/emotional diagnoses were obese compared to children with physical/medical diagnoses. A majority of parents (n = 16, 73%) indicated their CYSHCN need more supervision to participate in physical activity in community programs. Conclusion. The majority of CYSHCN in this study were obese and sedentary. Resources to promote physical activity are needed for this population.