International variation in programmes for assessment of children’s neurodevelopment in the community: Understanding disparate approaches to evaluation of motor, social, emotional, behavioural and cognitive function

TY - JOUR

T1 - International variation in programmes for assessment of children’s neurodevelopment in the community

T2 - Understanding disparate approaches to evaluation of motor, social, emotional, behavioural and cognitive function

AU - Wilson, Philip

AU - Wood, Rachael

AU - Lykke, Kirsten

AU - Hauskov Graungaard, Anette

AU - Ertmann, Ruth Kirk

AU - Andersen, Merethe Kirstine

AU - Haavet, Ole Rikard

AU - Lagerløv, Per

AU - Abildsnes, Eirik

AU - Dahli, Mina P.

AU - Mäkelä, Marjukka

AU - Varinen, Aleksi

AU - Hietanen, Merja

PY - 2018

Y1 - 2018

N2 - Background: Few areas of medicine demonstrate such international divergence as child development screening and surveillance. Many countries have nationally mandated surveillance policies, but the content of programmes and mechanisms for delivery vary enormously. The cost of programmes is substantial but no economic evaluations have been carried out. We have critically examined the history, underlying philosophy, content and delivery of programmes for child development assessment in five countries with comprehensive publicly funded health services (Denmark, Finland, Norway, Scotland and Sweden). The specific focus of this article is on motor, social, emotional, behavioural and global cognitive functioning including language. Findings: Variations in developmental surveillance programmes are substantially explained by historical factors and gradual evolution although Scotland has undergone radical changes in approach. No elements of universal developmental assessment programmes meet World Health Organization screening criteria, although some assessments are configured as screening activities. The roles of doctors and nurses vary greatly by country as do the timing, content and likely costs of programmes. Inter-professional communication presents challenges to all the studied health services. No programme has evidence for improved health outcomes or cost effectiveness. Conclusions: Developmental surveillance programmes vary greatly and their structure appears to be driven by historical factors as much as by evidence. Consensus should be reached about which surveillance activities constitute screening, and the predictive validity of these components needs to be established and judged against World Health Organization screening criteria. Costs and consequences of specific programmes should be assessed, and the issue of inter-professional communication about children at remediable developmental risk should be prioritised.

AB - Background: Few areas of medicine demonstrate such international divergence as child development screening and surveillance. Many countries have nationally mandated surveillance policies, but the content of programmes and mechanisms for delivery vary enormously. The cost of programmes is substantial but no economic evaluations have been carried out. We have critically examined the history, underlying philosophy, content and delivery of programmes for child development assessment in five countries with comprehensive publicly funded health services (Denmark, Finland, Norway, Scotland and Sweden). The specific focus of this article is on motor, social, emotional, behavioural and global cognitive functioning including language. Findings: Variations in developmental surveillance programmes are substantially explained by historical factors and gradual evolution although Scotland has undergone radical changes in approach. No elements of universal developmental assessment programmes meet World Health Organization screening criteria, although some assessments are configured as screening activities. The roles of doctors and nurses vary greatly by country as do the timing, content and likely costs of programmes. Inter-professional communication presents challenges to all the studied health services. No programme has evidence for improved health outcomes or cost effectiveness. Conclusions: Developmental surveillance programmes vary greatly and their structure appears to be driven by historical factors as much as by evidence. Consensus should be reached about which surveillance activities constitute screening, and the predictive validity of these components needs to be established and judged against World Health Organization screening criteria. Costs and consequences of specific programmes should be assessed, and the issue of inter-professional communication about children at remediable developmental risk should be prioritised.

KW - child development

KW - community nurse

KW - general practice

KW - health surveillance

KW - organisation of care

KW - Paediatrics

KW - parents

KW - primary (health) care

KW - screening

KW - well-child checks

U2 - 10.1177/1403494818772211

DO - 10.1177/1403494818772211

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 29726749

AN - SCOPUS:85053660331

SN - 1403-4948

VL - 46

SP - 805

EP - 816

JO - Scandinavian Journal of Public Health

JF - Scandinavian Journal of Public Health

IS - 8

ER -