Understanding the Impact of COVID-19 on Children with Medical Complexity and their Families

Children with medical complexity and their families are likely to be disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 and the unanticipated consequences of the pandemic public health measures on healthcare services, education, and social services. The health, education, and social lives of these children, and by extension their families, are shaped by a complex system of federal, provincial and local policies, as well as public health orders. Within the context of the pandemic, the needs of this population are at risk of being ignored, or worse, their rights being eroded. In this study, we will examine the lived experience of these families over time. We will recruit primary caregivers of children with medical complexity in British Columbia. We will collect data, through interviews and diaries. The information from these sources will help us identify factors that help or hinder families during the long-haul stage of the pandemic, and also the enduring impacts of public health measures from the earlier waves. We will share what we learn with other regions in Canada to inform and improve policies, clinical practices, and related supports for these families.