Author: macpedsrrt

Developing the GENDER-Q Kids: Our approach to creating a patient-reported outcome measure for children and adolescents who are receiving gender-affirming care

Shelby Deibert, PhD(c)

Supervisor: Dr. Anne Klassen

Our team is developing a patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) for children and adolescents (ages 8-18) who are receiving gender-affirming care (called GENDER-Q Kids). To create the GENDER-Q Kids, we are using a multi-phased, mixed-mixed methods approach. This presentation will focus on our phase one qualitative study. This study involves exploring concepts important to children and adolescents who are receiving gender-affirming care and forming a conceptual framework and comprehensive set of independently functioning scales.

Objectives:

1. To review the methods we are using in our phase one qualitative study.
2. To invite feedback on engaging youth in virtual research and working with research advisory committees.

Wellness Needs Assessment of Pediatric Trainees at McMaster Children’s Hospital

Dr. Claire Young, PGY2

Supervisor: Dr. Joanna Humphreys

While the importance of medical trainee wellness is being increasingly recognized, we continue to lack specific data from our medical trainee cohorts that can provide a detailed assessment of their overall well-being. Within this study, we aim to create a comprehensive survey to assess wellness needs within the McMaster pediatric trainee population, including residents and subspecialty fellows. Ultimately, we aim to identify key areas for wellness-focused intervention.

Objectives:

1. Review existing literature on medical trainee wellness

2. Identify and discuss key components of a comprehensive wellness needs assessment, using an appreciative inquiry method

The Efficacy of the 2019 McMaster Children’s Hospital Anaphylaxis Kits versus the Standard Anaphylaxis Kit

Dr. Meagan Kaye, PGY2

Supervisor: Dr. Ronish Gupta

Anaphylaxis is an acute, potentially life-threatening systemic allergic reaction to various triggers. There is international consensus that intramuscular epinephrine is the first line and most effective treatment for anaphylaxis. Despite this, it is commonly underutilized and misused by healthcare professionals. As part of a quality improvement initiative at McMaster Children’s Hospital (MCH), a new anaphylaxis kit was developed and implemented in 2019. Our aim is to showcase that the 2019 MCH kit results in fewer medication errors as it pertains to inpatient anaphylaxis management versus the standard anaphylaxis kit.

Objectives:

1. To define anaphylaxis and anaphylaxis management
2. To review why errors in anaphylaxis management occur and what has been implemented at MCH to decrease errors
3. To outline our proposed methods to showcase the efficacy of the 2019 MCH anaphylaxis kit versus the standard anaphylaxis kit

EPIC Implementation – Research Overview

Presented by

Katie Porter, Director of Research Administration, Hamilton Health Sciences

Sasha Eskandarian, Manager, Research Compliance and Support Services, Hamilton Health Sciences

Korinne Hamilton, Coordinator, Compliance & Quality Assurance, Research Compliance and Support Services, Hamilton Health Sciences

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In preparation for the June 4, 2022 go-live of EPIC at HHS, Odyssey Research Working Group Co-Chair (K Porter) and Working Group colleagues will provide an overview of the implementation process for research, how studies will be integrated into the system, as well as training and system access for research staff and stakeholders (such as monitors). Core session content from the HHS Research Community Town Hall held December 17, 2021 will be further enhanced by YOUR questions!

Investigators and research teams are encouraged to submit questions online by January 17^th at noon.

Prevalence of Intimate Partner Violence Among Canadian Adolescents: A Systematic Review

Dr. Kristen Salena, PGY2

Supervisors: Dr. Stacey Marjerrison, Dr. Gita Wahi, Dr. Rosheen Grady, Dr. Melissa Kimber

Much of the discourse around Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) focuses on adults as opposed to youth; however, adolescents are at particularly high risk of IPV. While there is evidence that these groups of adolescents are at disproportionately higher risk of IPV, there is a paucity of literature on IPV in these populations. There has been only one published study on the national prevalence of
adolescent dating violence in Canada and, to date, there are no systematic reviews examining prevalence of IPV among Canadian youth. Our aim is to perform a systematic review in an effort to consolidate evidence in this area. Ultimately, we hope to inform policy and practice for Canadian Pediatricians and trainees caring for youth at risk of IPV.

Objectives:

1) Define Intimate Partner Violence.

2) Review the current literature on IPV in adolescents.

3) Discuss research methodology as it pertains to conducting a systematic review.

TRansition-US-Together (TRUST) study: An educational toolkit to support adolescents with chronic disease and their parents as they transition to adult care

Dr. Michelle Batthish, Associate Professor & Division Head, Pediatric Rheumatology, Allergy & Immunology, Department of Pediatrics

The transition from pediatric to adult healthcare is a vulnerable period among patients with chronic disease.

Promotion of health self-efficacy and continuing attention to self-management is associated with better health-related quality of life.

Parents and caregivers face unique challenges as they struggle to define new roles and responsibilities in their child’s care.

Objectives:

1- To review the methodology addressing two of our study objectives.

2- Discuss how researchers should select outcomes to measure the impact of their intervention when no (validated) outcome measures exist.

Mixed-methods studies: what, why & how

Dr. Lawrence Mbuagbaw, Associate Professor, Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact

Mixed method studies are increasingly being used in health research. They represent a third research paradigm in addition to qualitative and quantitative studies.

However, they are poorly understood and frequently misused and mislabelled. This talk will cover the theory and practice of mixed methods studies and their value in health research.

A pilot prospective safety trial of delivering anticoagulation therapy in children at risk of thrombocytopenia

Dr. Felipe Fajardo, PGY2

Supervisor: Dr. Mihir Bhatt

There is a lack of evidence surrounding the delivery of anticoagulant therapy (ACT) in the context of concurrent thrombocytopenia. This study is a prospective pilot study that will investigate the safety of delivering anticoagulant therapy (ACT) according to our institutional protocol for patients with a thromboembolism who are at risk for thrombocytopenia. This will provide further evidence for the safety of this protocol in assessing any major or clinically relevant non-major bleeds.

Objectives:

• To review the literature surrounding anti coagulation therapy and thrombocytopenia
• To discuss our plans for the prospective study assessing the safety of our institutional protocol regarding ACT and thrombocytopenia

Cyclescapes: Exploring the role of virtual reality cycling for health promotion

Dr. Joyce Obeid, Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics

Virtual reality (VR) is a novel tool being used increasingly in clinical settings to engage patients in an immersive, digitally-generated environment. Combining VR and physical activity may allow children with frequent or prolonged hospital visits to maintain or improve their fitness and function, interact with peers, while also providing an escape from the real-world hospital environment. In this presentation, Dr. Obeid will share the on-going development of a VR-based cycling game and discuss the study’s next steps.

This project will be the focus of her upcoming Early Career Award application to the Hamilton Health Sciences. Feedback from attendees on the proposed methods, participant sample, and study outcomes will help to shape the final submission.

Objectives

1. To review the role and potential for VR in a clinical setting.
2. To outline the rationale and proposed methods for an upcoming submission to the Hamilton Health Sciences Early Career Award.

Pediatric Celiac Symptom Index: Development of a patient-reported outcome measure for children with Celiac Disease using a mixed-methods approach

Lee Hill, Research Coordinator, Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Pediatrics

PI: Dr. Jenna Dowhaniuk, Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics

Patient-reported outcome measures are instruments used to measure outcomes of healthcare using a patient-centred approach. The aim of our research is to develop a pediatric celiac symptom index using a mixed-methods approach. The methods include a scoping review of the literature, qualitative interviews with patients and their caregivers, cognitive interviews once a preliminary Index has been developed, and finally a quantitative analysis of the Index. The research is being conducted over two phases and is currently nearing the completion of the first phase.

Objectives:

1) Understanding the role of mixed methods and how it can be applied to research.
2) Understanding the development of a patient-reported outcome measure
3) Understanding the barriers and facilitators to conduct a mixed methods research study.

Success at CIHR: Reflections on the journey

Dr. Rahul Chanchlani, Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics

Four new pediatric studies, led by teams in the Faculty of Health Sciences and from research centres across Canada, have cumulatively been awarded $5 million by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) over the next five years. As one of the successful principal investigators, Dr. Rahul Chanchlani will lead a team in developing new reference standards to assess high blood pressure in South Asian children. The study titled “Deriving 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring reference values for SouTh AsiaN Children (ABPM-STANCE),” will also consider the impact of lifestyle factors like physical activity and sleep on 24-hour blood pressure.

In this session, Dr. Chanchlani will share key learnings from the grant submission and review processes that have culminated in his success at CIHR and discuss the objectives, methods, and implementation of his study.