SYNOPSIS
The Centre of Research Excellence in Cerebral Palsy (CRE-CP) is a five year NHMRC funded project that aims to improve the health and well-being of children with cerebral palsy and their families. The research program will focus on addressing the gaps in the management of cerebral palsy, and in the healthcare system. The impact of interventions on children and families’ quality of life will be a key priority for the CRE-CP, and this grand round will discuss the effective use of QoL measures in research, before focusing on the CRE-CP’s efforts to improve the surveillance and management of hip displacement. The implications of poor hip outcomes for adolescents and young adults will be explored, highlighting the need for improved translation of clinical guidelines for surveillance into practice. Two major clinical trials that aim to determine the most effective surgical management of displacement will be introduced.
SPEAKER
Professor Dinah Reddihough is the Primary Investigator on the CRE-CP and is involved in the clinical care of children with disabilities, particularly those with cerebral palsy and intellectual disability.
Dr Kim-Michelle Gilson is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of Melbourne with a clinical psychology background. Her research focuses on the mental wellbeing and quality of life of children with a disability and their families, and she leads the Quality of Life program within the CRE-CP.
Jo Wawrzuta is a final year medical student who completed her scholarly selective at RCH exploring hip outcomes for adolescents with cerebral palsy at the time of transition to adult services.
Dr Kate Willoughby is a physiotherapist in the orthopaedic department and an Associate Investigator within the CRE-CP. Kate’s work focusses on the development of a state-wide hip surveillance service for children with cerebral palsy, and coordinating clinical trials exploring optimal surgical management of hip displacement.
Professor Kerr Graham is Professor of Orthopaedics and Director of the Hugh Williamson Gait Laboratory at RCH. He is a Chief Investigator on the CRE-CP. Prof Graham is internationally renowned for his research into management of the secondary orthopaedic problems commonly associated with cerebral palsy.