Workshop 3

Applying Family-Centred Care in Service Delivery.

Family-centred care is a philosophy of care delivery based on respect, collaboration and partnership between service providers and children and their families. This strength- based approach is guided by the values, ideas, and preferences of the child and family to make choices and informed decisions about how their care is planned and delivered. 


In this workshop, participants will identify and explore the rationale of working with families and the key characteristics defining family-centred practices through review of evidence and case-based discussions. Participants are encouraged to bring examples of their own work, their strengths as well as challenges in delivering family-centred care. Together we will share examples on the application of family centred approaches in service delivery. 


The workshop will also explore stepping beyond conventionally defined bounderies such as meeting children and families on their own ground, their homes, schools and other spaces. The workshop welcomes service providers from all diciplines, physicians, therapists, mental health providers or other professionals working with children and their families.

Facilitated by Prof. Dr. Ilgi Ertem and Dr. Riddhi Mehta

Prof. Dr. Ilgi Ertem is the Founding President of the International Developmental Pediatrics Association (IDPA), founder of the field of Developmental Pediatrics in Turkey and Professor Emeritus from Ankara University, Turkey.

Her work has focused on facilitating the inclusion of the teachings and practices of developmental-behavioral pediatrics within health and other systems in Turkey and around the world. She has longstanding international experience in collaborating with colleagues in various countries including Argentina, Azerbaijan, China, Croatia, Ethiopia, Guatemala, India, Italy, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Serbia, South Africa, Turkmenistan and the United States.

She is an advisor to the WHO and UNICEF on child development and disability. Dr. Ertem did her fellowship training in Developmental- Behavioral Pediatrics at Yale University. She was a Zero to Three Fellow, a Fogarty International Center Women Global Health Scholar and a visiting professor at Yale University.

Dr. Ertem is the recipient of large scale international research grants and the developer of the International Guide for Monitoring Child Development (GMCD). She is the author of two books including the WHO published Developmental Difficulties in Early Childhood and publications in prestigious medical journals.

Dr. Riddhi Mehta is a developmental pediatrician practicing in Mumbai, India.

She is also a master trainer for the International Guide for Monitoring Child development (IGMCD), a developmental monitoring tool for children 0-3 yrs of age.

What she enjoys most about her work are the conversations with children and young people. She hopes to create a safe space for children to voice their concerns, their hopes and to be able to ask anything they want to their doctor so that they can be an active part of decision making for their care.