Patient Reported Outcomes in children’s health services: why should we use them and how can they be embedded in Epic?

Patient Reported Outcomes (PRO) have been used for decades in clinical trials, observational studies, population health surveys, and for estimates of quality of life in economic evaluations. However, the use of PROs as part of routine measurement in clinical settings is relatively new.  In this Grand Round, 3 speakers will discuss the use of PROs in the UK, in mental health at RCH and integrating PROs into the EMR.

Crowd-funding and other social media use by families

One of the growing worldwide challenges in paediatric health care is how to understand and respond to some of the many ways in which families of sick children use social media. This presentation draws together a number of strands of thought from my recent sabbatical in the UK, where the paediatric hospital staff are still experiencing the flow-on effects of the high-profile (and high-conflict) social media campaigns run by parents of Charlie Gard and Alfie Evans. I will present some data from two recent studies of how families in UK and Australia use social media, especially crowd-funding, and then raise for discussion some of the ethical and social challenges arising from social media use.

Influencing global immunisation policy through research in the Asia-Pacific region

Pneumonia is the commonest cause of childhood death throughout the world, especially in low and middle income countries. The pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) has been available for 19 years, but there are still many outstanding issues in its use: how do we measure the impact of this vaccine when the causes of pneumonia are many; how do we monitor serotype replacement in the post-PCV era; how do we measure herd protection; and how many doses of the vaccine are really needed for optimal protection?

The Human Neonatal Rotavirus Vaccine (RV3-BB) Targeting Rotavirus from Birth: from discovery to the development of a vaccine for the world’s children

Rotavirus is a major cause of death and disease in children worldwide. Despite clear evidence of the success of rotavirus vaccines, barriers remain to global implementation with over 94 million children still lacking access to a rotavirus vaccine. These barriers include sub-optimal efficacy in low-income settings, lingering safety concerns and cost. Administering a vaccine at birth has the potential to address these challenges. 

What affects child development during the first 1000 days? Evidence and implications

This presentation focuses on the earliest stages of child development: the period from conception to the end of the child’s second year – known as the first 1000 days. A growing body of evidence shows that experiences during this period can have life-long consequences for health and wellbeing. The presentation is based on research for the “Strong Foundations” project and an evidence paper “Getting it right in the first 1000 days”. 

What if we asked the public? Innovations & Impact with the U.S. National Poll on Children’s Health

This is an effort to bring the public voice about children’s health into national dialogue and health policy. Using a twin-track approach of online media (open-access monthly Reports) and traditional peer-reviewed journal publications, Matthew and his colleagues have brought the perceptions and opinions of parents and others into the international conversation about children’s illness and health and how policymaking can play a role.

Responding in a medical context to the effects of family violence on children

There is growing evidence of the health effects caused by family violence ranging from fatal (homicide, suicide, maternal mortality) to non-fatal (physical health, mental health, chronic conditions, reproductive health issues, and negative health behaviours). Negative impacts of family violence on children are wide ranging and profound.