Care and Services
Health in motion: innovating to help children
With its mobile clinic, DocTocToc offers a solution to the problem of poor access to pediatric healthcare. By traveling to areas with acute needs, the organization initiates contact with families who aren’t yet reached by the health and social services network.
Community-based healthcare
Multiple factors can compromise access to care, especially for highly vulnerable families :
- Wait times for medical appointments;
- Unfamiliarity with the healthcare system;
- Costs and travel times to get to service points;
- Language barriers for immigrant families.
Because of these barriers, some families have difficulty establishing trusting relationships in a healthcare network that’s left them behind. In a 2019 report by l’Institut national d’excellence en santé et en services sociaux (INESSS), mobile clinics were cited as a local service that could effectively reach vulnerable populations.
Families in the northern part of Montreal can access the DocTocToc pediatric mobile clinic directly or through referral by a community organization. Its services act in complement with the healthcare network to create care plans adapted to each child. DocTocToc acts as a new port of entry to the healthcare system for families it has not yet reached. By creating links between community organizations and the healthcare network, DocTocToc fosters collaboration between sectors, which is at the heart of its work.
Services offered
The DocTocToc travels to Montreal North in a 100% energy-efficient bus with a welcome area, exam room and office. The team on board (nurse and navigator) offer front-line care and services for children aged 0 to 5 (evaluation, information and advice) and ensure they’re directed to medical and community resources that meet their particular needs.
Walk-in nurse consultations
A nurse identifies the child’s needs and performs a clinical evaluation, then dispenses the appropriate care and can refer the child to a doctor as needed. They also promote healthy lifestyle habits and encourages families to take action.
Regular visits and health check-ups
The nurse uses the ABCdaire, a reference tool for monitoring and follow-up on the child’s health and development.
Vaccination
The nurse updates the child’s vaccination booklet and administers vaccines as needed.
Liaison services and help navigating the healthcare system and community resources
The navigator assesses the family’s psychosocial needs and points them to the appropriate resources. They provide support and guidance for families throughout the process and give them the tools to become autonomous in managing their interactions with the healthcare system and community organizations.
FAQ
We provide services targeted at vulnerable children aged 0 to 5 in the CIUSSS du Nord-de-l’île-de-Montréal territory who are not yet reached by the healthcare system, social services or community organizations.
The mobile clinic’s services are free for all children aged 0 to 5, even if their parents are temporary residents or awaiting a decision on their immigration status.
Parents of children aged 0 to 5 in Montreal North can go to the mobile clinic directly or obtain a referral from a community organization.
The mobile clinic drives all over Montreal North and parks in strategic locations already visited by the families it seeks to help. Parents can go to the mobile clinic directly or obtain a referral from a community organization. Consult our calendar to see upcoming mobile clinic locations in advance.