Balancing Personal and Social Identities for Priority Population Children

Strategic Insights -

A new study published in BMC Health Services Research explores the experiences of priority population children and caregivers at the Sydney Children's Hospitals Network (SCHN) to identify strengths, limitations, and recommendations for enhancing healthcare services tailored to their needs. The Providing Enhanced Access to Child Health Services (PEACH) initiative at SCHN aims to reduce inequity in healthcare access and outcomes for priority population children and young people. Through an experience-based co-design methodology, the study found that personal identity is related to person before problem and demography, while social identity is linked to cultural responsiveness. The research advocates for a person-centred approach to healthcare delivery that recognizes and responds to the dynamic interconnected relationship between personal and social identities.

Key Takeaways:

  • The PEACH initiative at SCHN aims to reduce inequity in healthcare access and outcomes for priority population children and young people.
  • The study used an experience-based co-design methodology to explore the experiences of priority population children and caregivers at SCHN before the implementation of PEACH initiatives.
  • The data analysis revealed that personal identity is related to person before problem and demography, while social identity is linked to cultural responsiveness.
  • The research found that participants emphasized the significance of social identities in health service design and the importance of an individualized approach that recognizes and respects their unique personal identities within the broader social context.
  • The study recommended a person-centred approach to healthcare delivery that recognizes and responds to the dynamic interconnected relationship between personal and social identities.
  • The PEACH initiative has been funded by the Nsw Ministry of Health Paediatric Priority Funding Grant.
  • The study involved 28 qualitative semi-structured interviews with 38 participants from priority population groups who had accessed care at SCHN.

Statistics:

  • 38 participants were involved in the study from priority population groups.
  • 28 qualitative semi-structured interviews were carried out.
  • The study analyzed the data via inductive thematic analysis.
  • The journal article is available online at https://doi-org.sdpl.idm.oclc.org/10.1186/s12913-025-13466-2.

Sources:

  • Balancing personal and social identities for the care of priority populations in a paediatric hospital setting: a qualitative study. BMC Health Services Research, 2025,25(1):1-13. (BMC Health Services Research - http://bmchealthservres.biomedcentral.com)
  • National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)
  • NSW Ministry of Health Paediatric Priority Funding Grant
  • Sydney Children's Hospitals Network (SCHN)