Improving healthcare for migrant families with children who have special needs

Co-design and Evaluation of a Patient Navigator Intervention for Migrant Children and Youth with Special Healthcare Needs (CYSHCN) Experiencing Care Transitions (MiNav Trial)

Not applicable Interventional McGill University Health Centre/Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre · NCT06373588

This study is testing whether a patient navigator program can help migrant families with children who have special healthcare needs get better support compared to regular care.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment324 (estimated)
AgesN/A to 18 Years
SexAll
SponsorMcGill University Health Centre/Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre Academic / other
Locations3 sites (Toronto, Ontario and 2 other locations)
Trial IDNCT06373588 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a patient navigator program designed to assist migrant families caring for children or youth with special healthcare needs. The study will compare the experiences and outcomes of families receiving the patient navigator intervention against those continuing with standard care over a 12-month period. Participants will complete questionnaires at three different time points to assess barriers to care, caregiver stress, care coordination, and their child's health status.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include primary caregivers of children or youth under 18 years who are first- or second-generation migrants and are experiencing care transitions due to special healthcare needs.

Not a fit: Patients who have lived in Canada for 10 years or more, or those already receiving peer navigation support, may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this program could significantly enhance healthcare access and quality of life for migrant families with children who have chronic health conditions.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promising results with patient navigator programs, indicating potential for success in this approach.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Primary caregiver of child/youth ≤18 years who is first- or second-generation migrant, defined as born outside of Canada or having parents born elsewhere, respectively (migrants include immigrants, resettled refugees, refugee claimants (asylum seekers), temporary workers or international students, and other individuals without formal immigration status (undocumented)).
* Children or youth with special health care needs, as defined by the CYSHCN Screener, which identifies children who are experiencing one or more functional limitation or service use due to a physical, emotional, behavioural, developmental, or other health condition that has lasted or is expected to last at least 12 months.
* Experiencing care transitions between at least 2 of the following: primary care, community-based care, secondary specialist care, and/or hospital-based (acute) care.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Caregiver living in Canada ≥10 years
* Families who are receiving available peer navigation support at sites will be excluded to limit cross-over of interventions.

Where this trial is running

Toronto, Ontario and 2 other locations

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Patient NavigationChild HealthChronic health diseasesMigrant populationRefugeeImmigrantAsylum seekerCulturally competent care
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.