The Cardiac Neurodevelopmental Outcome Collaborative – neurodevelopmental and psychosocial care model for patients with complex congenital heart disease: implementation perspectives in Poland

Advances in cardiology and cardiac surgery have led to a substantial reduction in mortality among patients with complex congenital heart disease. Current therapeutic management focuses on optimising the quality of life of patients with this disease. The aim of the study is to present the neurodevelopmental and psychosocial care model developed by the international Cardiac Neurodevelopmental Outcome Collaborative and to analyse the prospects for its implementation in the Polish clinical context. A scoping review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA-ScR guidelines, identifying 21 key publications by Cardiac Neurodevelopmental Outcome Collaborative experts describing diagnostic and therapeutic standards. The model is based on administering standardised test batteries for children up to 5 years of age and those of school age, integrated within an interdisciplinary surveillance framework. Experts recommend shifting from a static approach to a multilevel assessment of dynamically changing symptoms throughout a child’s development during neurodevelopmental evaluation. Researchers demonstrate that parental mental health is often a stronger predictor of child outcomes than medical variables, warranting routine screening of parents or caregivers. Critical to the model is establishing a developmental care pathway encompassing early rehabilitation and lactation support. Implementation of the Cardiac Neurodevelopmental Outcome Collaborative model in Poland requires overcoming systemic barriers, such as care fragmentation, specialist shortages, and the lack of dedicated National Health Fund procedures. A pilot implementation in reference centres is proposed, offering an opportunity for a significant improvement in the functioning and well-being of the rapidly growing population of patients with congenital heart disease in Poland.