Blue cross logo for Project DOCC, Delivery of Chronic Care, Houston

Project DOCC

Delivery of Chronic Care (DOCC) is a component of medical education that requires an understanding of a patient’s home environment and collaboration with families. 

Blue Project DOCC cross logo representing 4 people joined together, text in middle says Project DOCC, Delivery of Chronic Care, Houston, text labeling people: Parents, Patients, Med Schools and Med Learners

DOCC Project connects medical students, residents and fellows with our faculty of Parent Teachers who share their personal experiences of caring for children living with disabilities and/or chronic illnesses resulting in extensive medical needs.

Parent Teachers welcome those training for their medical careers into their homes for immersive educational experiences. These personal encounters are proven to increase physicians’ openness to work closely with families to care for patients with disabilities and/or chronic illnesses.

The Project DOCC curriculum focuses on sharing the perspectives of families managing their children’s extensive medical needs at home and in the community. This real-life experience is difficult to portray in a medical textbook, hospital or clinic setting. Dialog portrays how each patient has a unique set of medical needs and home environment.

Sessions with DOCC Parent Teachers are required components of programs at:

Baylor College of Medicine

McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston

Texas A&M University Naresh K. Vashisht College of Medicine

Our Mission

  • Provide pediatric resident physicians with a comprehensive understanding of what families experience on a daily basis when caring for children living with disabilities and/or chronic illnesses.
  • Train parents and families to be “Parent Teachers” so they can broaden the pediatric resident physician’s perspective beyond the hospital and office setting and into the home and community.
  • Illustrate the need for improved “delivery of chronic care” and planning between physicians and parents in order to improve the quality of life and educational opportunities for children living with disabilities and/or chronic illnesses.
  • Educate and empower families of children living with disabilities and/or chronic illnesses to become skillful family and community advocates by providing training on state programs and community resources.

Powered by exceptional Parent Teachers, Project DOCC Houston is a 501(C)3 nonprofit organization. Operating expenses are covered by generous donors. You can make a contribution to support Project DOCC.