Global Pediatrics · Published 2026-06-25 · DOI 10.1016/j.gpeds.2026.100360
Cynthia Goguen, Meagan McIntyre, Hélène Corriveau, Vickie Plourde
In Canada, access to healthcare remains a challenge, especially for children and youth in rural areas. Community social pediatrics (CSP) seeks to address these barriers to healthcare by collaborating with communities, children and their families to create and implement personalized care plans. This study explores how families living in francophone rural communities in Southeast New Brunswick access healthcare services through their CSP centre, from the perspectives of mothers receiving services, CSP staff, and community partners. Using a multi-case study approach, eight mothers, four CSP clinical staff members, and fourteen CSP community partners were recruited and interviewed individually between March 2022 and February 2023. Interviews focused on participants’ perceptions of CSP services, collaboration between partners, and satisfaction with CSP services. Verbatim interview transcripts were analyzed thematically to identify main themes, with data triangulation ensuring internal coherence of subthemes. Results suggest that participants agree the CSP approach fosters flexible referral and follow-up processes, whole-family support, and tailored care. CSP’s community-driven approach, which enhanced community engagement, was identified as improving healthcare provision by supporting CSP implementation within the community, identifying families in need, and fostering close collaboration with community partners to ensure continuity of care. The centres’ physical proximity, rapid referral processes, family-centered approach, and coordinated services were identified as key facilitators of access to appropriate health and well-being support for children and families. The CSP approach shows promise for supporting children and families in rural New Brunswick, particularly by improving access to flexible, rapid, and appropriate care.
Abstract from DOAJ. Public domain (CC0 1.0).
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Goguen, C., McIntyre, M., Corriveau, H., et al. (2026). “A pathway just for me”: Perspectives from community social pediatrics on enhancing access to healthcare in Southeast New Brunswick. Global Pediatrics. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gpeds.2026.100360