Capacity building model for increased access to quality cardiac care for children in underserved regions

Abstract Background Congenital heart anomalies are the most common major birth defect in the world, affecting one in every 120 children, 90% of whom live where medical care is inadequate or unavailable. Increased access to paediatric cardiac care is a priority for most low-income and middle-income countries today. Children's HeartLink is dedicated to increasing access and improving quality at paediatric cardiac centres by use of a collaborative model that fosters sustainable clinical, organisational, and community capacity. Methods Children's HeartLink works in India, China, Brazil, Malaysia, Ukraine, and Vietnam. The programme delivery model supports development of self-sustaining paediatric cardiac centres of excellence by using a three-phase approach of training and mentoring partnerships between developed and developing world programmes. Metrics in areas of clinical skills improvement, multidisciplinary teamwork, and administrative systems demonstrate progress towards becoming a sustainable regional centre of excellence, culminating in designation as a Children's HeartLink Global Partner in Pediatric Cardiac Care. Partner hospitals report clinical outcomes to Children's HeartLink; clinical and organisational competency is tracked through medical volunteer feedback. Findings Markers of improved partner site outcomes include reduced mortality and morbidity, increased patient volume, and improved interdisciplinary communication, resulting in superior clinical judgment and decision making. This capacity-building model has resulted in one partner becoming a Global Partner in Pediatric Cardiac Care and Training and two becoming Global Partners in Pediatric Cardiac Care. Interpretation Quantitative and qualitative analysis has shown that this capacity-building model leads to sustainable, accessible, and improved quality paediatric cardiac care in low-income and middle-income countries, and can be replicated in other health-care areas. Funding None.