This review analyzes the quantitative literature on children with medical complexity (CMC). Using the Pediatric Self-Management Model, evidence is summarized into facilitators and barriers to self-management. Current quantitative research focuses on the caregiver burden in families with CMC. A model for social work with families with CMC was introduced in response to these findings. A re-envisioned model allows the child with medical complexity to be seen as whole rather than focusing on typically deficit-based areas of medical specialty or service provision.
Keywords: children with medical complexity; chronic illness; disability; medically fragile; self-management; social work; technology dependent.