Experiences of families using an early example of neighbourhood multidisciplinary care for children and young people: A qualitative exploration using the theoretical framework of acceptability

Background In the United Kingdom, the National Health Service is attempting to address the ongoing challenges to heath equity in underserved children and young people (CYP) by creating Neighbourhood Multi-Disciplinary Teams (NMDTs) that combine health services, social care providers, local authorities, voluntary, community and faith and social enterprise is needed. Despite this significant shift in the delivery of care, there is a lack of suitably robust evidence of family experience to inform their development. This work contributes to this need using the experience and perspectives of families using the experience and perspectives of families using an early example of an NMDT for CYP the Sparkbrook Children's Zone in Birmingham, United Kingdom. Methods The study used data collected from two focus groups conducted with parents whose children had been treated by the Sparkbrook Children's Zone. The data were analysed using a directed content analysis to populate Sekhon's Theoretical Framework of Acceptability. Results In summary and by framework domain, we found that that individuals became aware of the SCZ through a range of sources, understanding that it was multidisciplinary if sometimes unsure of precisely the organisations involved (Intervention coherence) Parents described the benefits to access of a locally situated collocated service (Burden) the personalised relationship with providers (Cultural sensitivity0 extended conultation time, and support for the family's complex clinical needs (Perceived effectiveness) Conclusions Parents appeared to prefer the SCZ over usual primary care but more work is needed with larger sample sizes to ensure that the structure of NMDTs are understood and optimised.