Background of KLIK

Research conducted by the psychosocial department at the Emma Children’s Hospital AMC has shown that the development of children is pressurized socially and emotionally when they are growing up with a chronic or life threatening disease. Due to increased medical knowledge over the past decades, more and more children with chronic illnesses grow up into adulthood. Because of this, it is important to pay frequent attention to the quality of life of young chronically ill patients while they are growing up. Also is known that communicating about emotional problems having to do with a chronic or life threatening disease is important in adjusting to the disease, taking away insecurities and negative feelings.

To be able to realise this, the KLIK method has been developed. KLIK is a web based method which can be used to give a clear overview of the quality of life of a (chronically) ill child and their parents. KLIK is an abbreviation for Kwaliteit van Leven In Kaart (Quality of Life in Clinical Practice). By using the KLIK method, problems can be identified and discussed early on. In addition, relevant interventions can be offered to teach children how to cope with their disease and to support parents of chronically ill children.

In short, KLIK is an indispensable compliment for all involved in improving the quality of healthcare.

The effectiveness of the KLIK method has been demonstrated by two studies on the direct feedback of quality of life details to a paediatrician using Patient Reported Outcomes (PRO’s), the KLIK PROfile in this case. These studies demonstrate that emotional and social topics come up more often during an appointment with the doctor.. In addition, emotional problems and problems in school are being noticed more often. Moreover, paediatricians indicate that they are more satisfied with their consult when the KLIK PROfile could be used. Also, the duration of the consult does not appear to last longer when the KLIK PROfile is being used.

Who is KLIK for?

KLIK has been developed for all children from 0-18 years old with a (chronic) illness, but also for children who have been hospitalized unexpected and their parents.