Author: macpedsrrt

Pediatric Environmental Health Histories: A Scoping Review and Descriptive Analysis

Dr. Sarah Kimber, PGY2

Supervisors: Drs. Elif Bilgic (Associate Professor, Pediatrics, McMaster) & Anna Gunz (Associate Professor, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University)

There is currently little to no consensus with regards to the best way in which to take a paediatric environmental health history. Given the ever increasing importance of environmental health, particularly as the effects of climate change become more apparent, this is an essential, emerging area of research to protect child health. This presentation will examine the work done to date on a new scoping review, the purpose of which is to examine the existing paediatric environmental health history taking tools.  Ideally this work will lead to a descriptive analysis of the available literature and allow for future validation and increased usage of these tools in the clinical environment.

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand the importance of the emerging aspects of paediatric environmental health.
2. Understand the current state of environmental health history taking tools.
3. Consider possible search strategies and eligibility criteria to assist with review.

Trends in incidence of pediatric NAFLD: a 25 year analysis

Dr. Rohil Dureja, PGY2

Supervisor: Dr. Nikhil Pai

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is characterised by excessive lipid deposition within the liver and affects both children and adults. Data on trends in pediatric incidence, impact of pediatric NAFLD on healthcare costs, and how early onset disease progresses to end-stage liver cirrhosis remains unclear. We aim to address these gaps using health population data. Our primary objective is to determine trends in incidence of pediatric NAFLD between 1995-2018 in Ontario.

Learning Objectives:

1. Current research on pediatric NAFLD and rationale for research
2. Aims and objectives of study 
3. Understanding the methodology required for an ICES research study 

Research Data Management (RDM) – Best Practices and McMaster Supports

Presenters: Isaac Pratt, PhD and Danica Evering, MA – Research Data Management Specialists

Description: In this seminar for Pediatrics Researchers, learn about research data management (RDM) best practices and how investing a small amount of time in organizing your data now can save you a lot of time and prevent future headaches. We will also introduce the new Digital Research Commons Pilot and share McMaster tools and supports for data planning, storage, security, organization, preservation, and sharing. Both CIHR and the NIH have new requirements for Data Management Plans (DMPs) and Data Deposit—learn how to meet these requirements and further streamline your research practice.

An analysis of the rate and patterns of language interpretation service use at McMaster Children’s Hospital

Dr. Sara Markovic, PGY2

Supervisor: Dr. April Kam

The aim of our review is to identify patterns and frequency of use of language interpretation services for paediatric patients at McMaster Children’s Hospital (MCH). Our goal is to compare the rates of use prior to, and following implementation of VOYCE, an on-demand video-interpretation service piloted at MCH since October 2022.

Learning Objectives: 

1. Identify changes in frequency of use of language interpretation following VOYCE implementation.

2. Identify trends in time of day, duration and purpose of interaction, and choice of language. 

Retrospective Cohort Study of AIHA at McMaster Children’s Hospital

Dr. Sureka Pavalagantharajah, PGY2

Supervisor: Dr. Vicky Breakey

This project is part of a larger North American study. The purpose of this research is to develop a retrospective cohort study describing the diagnostic evaluation, treatment strategies, and outcomes of pediatric AIHA.

Learning Objectives:

1. Brief review of AIHA
2. Understanding the need for research in this population

All you need to know about imputation of missing data in trials in pediatric trials

Dr. Lehana Thabane, Professor, Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact

This talk is about imputation of missing data in pediatric trials: What you need to know about what imputation is, why it is necessary, what the current practice looks like, what the best methods to impute are, what it cannot do, and how to prevent the need for it.

Growing Patient and Family Engagement in Child Health Research

Dr. Karen Beattie, Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics; Co-Chair, Family Advisory Council, Hamilton Health Sciences

Active and meaningful collaboration with patients and families is becoming more familiar – and required – in research. Still, many have questions about the who/what/when/why and how of engagement. In this session, Dr. Karen Beattie will share her knowledge and experiences as a researcher, parent, family advocate and engagement leader, outlining a framework, strategies, and resources for successful engagement. As the Department of Pediatrics begins to build a platform for patient and family engagement in child health research, we also want to hear from you – our research teams – as to what tools and supports would be helpful for engagement of patients and families in your own work. Join us for this important conversation!

Revamping the Pediatric Social History: Identifying Gaps in Learners Comfort and Consistency in Social History Taking and an Approach to Improving the Pediatric Social History Taking Model at McMaster

Dr. Alexandra Nieuwesteeg, PGY2

Supervisors: Dr. Julia Frei & Dr. Brittany Anne Howson-Jan

First, I will be completing a literature review to assess what is already being done in terms of streamlining pediatric social histories. 
Then, I will be assessing residents comfort and consistency in asking sensitive questions in a social history through a formal, anonymized survey. 

The end goal is to create a mnemonic, similar to a SHADESS history for social history taking in the pediatric setting in an attempt to standardize this process and increase learners comfort in asking sensitive topics as well as reducing bias by making these a set of routinely asked questions in most pediatric settings. 

Learning Objectives:

1. What information/teaching is currently provided to learners around social history taking in paediatrics 
2. Identifying gaps and inconsistencies in our comfort levels of asking certain sensitive questions in paediatric social history taking 

Empowering Next-Generation Researchers in Perinatal and Child Health (ENRICH)

Dr. Melissa Parker, Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics & ENRICH Centre Leader

The recently launched ENRICH platform (a re-envisioning of the former Canadian Child Health Clinician Scientist Program) aims to build national capacity for child health research through training, awards, and mentorship opportunities. An established researcher serves as the ENRICH Centre Leader in each of the 16 Pediatric Academic centres. Locally, Dr. Melissa Parker serves in this role and will provide an overview of the ENRICH Platform and available opportunities.

Within the Enrichment Program, PILLAR aims to launch academic researchers. In 2023, the Department of Pediatrics will be supporting participation of two early career faculty members in PILLAR. With expressions of interest due internally November 30, 2022, this is a great opportunity to learn more and ask questions.

Building a social prescription intervention: a mixed methods study

Dr. Celia Kwan, PGY2

Supervisor: Dr. Gita Wahi

The Social Determinants of Health (SDoH) are defined by the World Health Organization as: “conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work, and age”. Social prescription describes the referral of patients to social or community services to address these SDoH and unmet social needs, and improve their wellbeing and health. In a 2016 policy statement, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) highlighted the importance of addressing unmet social needs in pediatric clinical encounters. However, there is a a paucity of research that measures these social prescriptions’ impact on health outcomes. Hence, we would like to work with the families at the McMaster Children’s Hospital to identify feasible strategies to screen for and address unmet social needs, which may ultimately improve the health trajectory of marginalized children. We will be doing a two phase, sequential explanatory mixed methods study.

Objectives:

1. Review the social determinants of health in pediatrics and the current status of what is known about social prescriptions
2. Discuss the process of a mixed methods study