Systems of Pediatric Healthcare Delivery and the Social-Ecological Framework

Research continues to elucidate the finding that children’s functioning is composed of numerous interdependent influences such as physical and psychological health, and ecological contexts which are inextricably linked. However, our nation’s healthcare delivery system has not traditionally followed this framework in adequately addressing whole-person needs within a holistic framework. This care has often been fragmented (i.e., physical health providers functioning separately from behavioral health providers) and not coordinated among the numerous systems (e.g., family, school, healthcare) in which children interact. This chapter aims to highlight the importance of using a broader systems orientation and social-ecological framework in pediatric healthcare delivery.