Pediatriassa

Pediatriassa is a term used in some medical discussions to denote a holistic, family-centered approach to pediatric care that integrates medical treatment with attention to social, developmental, and environmental factors affecting child health. It is a neologism rather than a formally defined specialty, and its precise scope varies by context.

Etymology and scope: the word combines pediatrics with a suffix used in several Romance languages to indicate practice or discipline. In practice, Pediatriassa aims to expand the traditional pediatric model to include collaborative decision making with families, coordinated care across settings, and attention to the broader determinants of health, including social and economic conditions.

Core components include comprehensive developmental surveillance, preventive care and health promotion, and integrated care teams that may include physicians, nurses, social workers, and other allied health professionals. It emphasizes family education and empowerment, community partnerships, and the use of digital health tools to support remote monitoring, telemedicine, and clear communication between families and care teams. The approach seeks to improve continuity of care, reduce fragmentation, and address inequities in access and outcomes.

History and reception: The concept has appeared in scholarly discussions and pilot programs during the 2010s and 2020s as a response to fragmented care and health disparities. It has not become a universally standardized accreditation or certification in major health systems, and definitions differ among institutions. Proponents relate it to patient-centered care and the principles of a child- and family-centered medical home, while critics note definitional vagueness and potential resource constraints.

See also: Pediatrics, Family-centered care, Social determinants of health, Integrated care, Patient-centered medical home.