Congenital heart defects (CHDs) are the most common birth defects and require lifelong cardiology care. Despite this need, many individuals with CHDs often fall out of care, and about 61% do not see a cardiology specialist after age 18 years old.

The following resources are intended to support physicians (pediatricians, obstetrician-gynecologists, internal medicine, emergency medicine and family medicine physicians), and help improve the continuity of care between primary care and specialty cardiac care physicians. These resources will help physicians identify opportunities to help ensure that people with CHDs get the specialized care they need to stay healthy across the lifespan.

#CHDcare4life

 

Congenital Heart Defects Toolkit Overview

People with heart defects need lifelong congenital cardiac care — but many of them aren’t getting it. This congenital heart defects toolkit features a variety of resources to help physicians connect people with heart defects to the care they need.

The toolkit includes materials for 4 priority audiences who see people with congenital heart defects at different touchpoints:

  • Pediatricians and family physicians (who treat children)
  • Internal medicine physicians and family physicians (who treat adults)
  • Obstetrician-gynecologists
  • Emergency room physicians

Download and share these resources to promote lifelong congenital cardiac care for people with heart defects:

  • Infographics
  • Sample social media messages and graphics
  • Conversation starters for pediatricians and other physicians
  • Sample content to use in a newsletter or blog post

And be sure to include the hashtag #CHDCare4Life on all social media posts!

 

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The AAP will continuously update this toolkit with new resources. Sign up to be notified when new resources are published.

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CHD Toolkit: Share Your Feedback

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Awareness of Congenital Heart Defects Among Healthcare Clinicians: Video-Based Curriculum

This free video-based educational curriculum of 4 independent courses, aims to improve the continuity of care between primary care and specialty cardiac care physicians; as well as promote lifelong cardiac care for people with CHDs. Each course is geared towards a different audience, including pediatricians, obstetrician-gynecologists, internal medicine, emergency medicine and family medicine physicians. Learners are eligible to receive CME credit for each course unit.

View Curriculum

 

 

Lifelong Care for Patients with Congenital Heart Defects Webinar

This webinar provides an overview of CHD Toolkit Resources and how they can be used in practice, and features a multidisciplinary discussion of important considerations for care planning, care coordination and cardiac care referrals for patients with Congenital Heart Defects (CHD).

View Webinar

Pediatric Medicine CHD Resources

Infographic

Social Media Graphic

Download sample social media posts to accompany social media graphics.

Social Media Graphic

Download sample social media posts to accompany social media graphics.

Social Media Graphic

Download sample social media posts to accompany social media graphics.

Conversation Starter

Customizable Content

CHD Facts, Talking Points and Social Media Posts

Obstetrics and Gynecology (OB-GYN) CHD Resources

Social Media Graphic

Download sample social media posts to accompany social media graphics.

Social Media Graphic

Download sample social media posts to accompany social media graphics.

Conversation Starter

Customizable Content

CHD Facts, Talking Points and Social Media Posts

Internal Medicine CHD Resources

Infographic

Social Media Graphic

Download sample social media posts to accompany social media graphics.

Social Media Graphic

Download sample social media posts to accompany social media graphics.

Social Media Graphic

Download sample social media posts to accompany social media graphics.

Conversation Starter

Customizable Content

CHD Facts, Talking Points and Social Media Posts

Emergency Medicine CHD Resources

Social Media Graphic

Download sample social media posts to accompany social media graphics.

Social Media Graphic

Download sample social media posts to accompany social media graphics.

Conversation Starter

Conversation Starter

Customizable Content

CHD Facts, Talking Points and Social Media Posts

Collaborating to Provide Lifelong Care for People With Congenital Heart Defects

A multidisciplinary panel webinar on ensuring that people with CHDs get the specialized care they need to stay healthy across the lifespan. Eligible for 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™

Watch

Facilitated Mini Trainings: Congenital Heart Defects

The AAP has developed Facilitated Mini Trainings related to pediatric congenital cardiac care. These trainings provide educational content in short 15-20 minute presentations.

View Trainings

Congenital Heart Defects Lectures

Video

Identification and Understanding of Types of CHD

Video

Other Organ Systems Affected by CHD

Video

Care Planning Through the Medical Home for Patients with CHD

 

AAP Policy and Other Resources

HealthyChildren.org Articles:

Podcasts:

 

Share your feedback on this toolkit:

Please take our feedback survey

 

 

Acknowledgement

This project is supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $400,000 with 100 percent funded by CDC/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by American Academy of Pediatrics, CDC/HHS or the US Government.

Last Updated

08/01/2023

Source

American Academy of Pediatrics