Centralization of Pediatric Surgical Care in The Netherlands: Lessons Learned
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Read the article on jpedsurg.org ↗Article · Oct 2021 · 1 min read
In brief
In brief
This article examines the Netherlands' approach to centralizing pediatric surgical care, particularly oncology services, which are concentrated in Utrecht with satellite shared-care centers for routine management. The authors emphasize that centralization requires balancing specialized care access against proximity concerns, and that proactive stakeholder engagement is essential to avoid externally imposed solutions.
Written by the GCMD Library team from the article.
Centralization of care is a difficult process, as there are several stakeholders that are involved and should be heard. What can be the best option for a small group of patients may be detrimental to a larger group of patients that cannot be adequately treated close to home. The weighing of these factors is different in every environment.
One universal rule however is: if you don't do it yourselves, others will do it for you. In the Netherlands, pediatric oncology, including surgery, is centralized in one center (Utrecht) with the help of several shared care centers scattered throughout the country for things that can be managed close to home.