scholarly journals Management and Treatment of Concussions via Tele-Concussion in a Pediatric Setting: Methodological Approach and Descriptive Analysis (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Todd Caze II ◽  
Gregory P Knell ◽  
John Abt ◽  
Scott O Burkhart

BACKGROUND Approximately 2 million children in the United States sustain a concussion annually, resulting in an economic impact as high as US $20 billion. Patients who receive treatment at concussion specialty clinics, versus primary care, experience faster recovery, thereby reducing patient burden and subsequent medical-related costs. Accessibility to specialty clinics is typically limited by the availability of in-office visits. This is particularly relevant in light of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 pandemic and subsequent guidance to eliminate all non–medically necessary in-clinic visits. Telehealth has been used to effectively deliver in-clinic care across several disciplines including psychiatry, psychology, and neuropsychology. However, a model of telehealth delivered concussion assessment, treatment, and management has not been established. OBJECTIVE The purposes of this paper are to describe a pediatric concussion specialty clinic’s experiences in delivering telehealth concussion services and to provide preliminary descriptive data on a sample of pediatric telehealth patients with concussions. METHODS The specialty pediatric concussion clinic described here began providing telehealth services in 2019 and is part of the largest and fastest-growing telehealth hospital network in the United States. The clinical care process will be described, including accessing the telehealth platform, assessment during the initial appointment, injury management including communication with relevant patient stakeholders (eg, parent or guardians, athletic trainers), dissemination of rehabilitation exercises, and nature of follow-up visits. Descriptive data will include patient demographics, the radius of care, the time between the date of injury and initial visit, the average number of follow-up visits, and days until medically cleared for return-to-learn and return-to-play. RESULTS The analytic sample included 18 patients with concussions who were seen for all of their visits via telehealth between August 2019 and April 2020. The mean age of the sample was 14.5 (SD 2.5) years. The radius of care was a median of 17 (IQR 11.0-31.0) miles from the clinic with a median time between injury and the first visit of 21 (IQR 6.0-41.5) days. The mean number of visits was 2.2 (SD 0.8) with a median days between visits of 5.4 (IQR 3.0-9.3) to manage and treat the concussion. Of the 18 patients, 55.6% (n=10) were medically cleared for return-to-learn or -play in a median of 15.5 (IQR 11.0-29.0) days. CONCLUSIONS Limited access to health care is a well-understood barrier for receiving quality care. Subsequently, there are increasing demands for flexibility in delivering concussion services remotely and in-clinic. This is the first paper to provide a clinically relevant framework for the assessment, management, and treatment of acute concussion via telehealth in a pediatric population.

10.2196/19924 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. e19924
Author(s):  
Todd Caze II ◽  
Gregory P Knell ◽  
John Abt ◽  
Scott O Burkhart

Background Approximately 2 million children in the United States sustain a concussion annually, resulting in an economic impact as high as US $20 billion. Patients who receive treatment at concussion specialty clinics, versus primary care, experience faster recovery, thereby reducing patient burden and subsequent medical-related costs. Accessibility to specialty clinics is typically limited by the availability of in-office visits. This is particularly relevant in light of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 pandemic and subsequent guidance to eliminate all non–medically necessary in-clinic visits. Telehealth has been used to effectively deliver in-clinic care across several disciplines including psychiatry, psychology, and neuropsychology. However, a model of telehealth delivered concussion assessment, treatment, and management has not been established. Objective The purposes of this paper are to describe a pediatric concussion specialty clinic’s experiences in delivering telehealth concussion services and to provide preliminary descriptive data on a sample of pediatric telehealth patients with concussions. Methods The specialty pediatric concussion clinic described here began providing telehealth services in 2019 and is part of the largest and fastest-growing telehealth hospital network in the United States. The clinical care process will be described, including accessing the telehealth platform, assessment during the initial appointment, injury management including communication with relevant patient stakeholders (eg, parent or guardians, athletic trainers), dissemination of rehabilitation exercises, and nature of follow-up visits. Descriptive data will include patient demographics, the radius of care, the time between the date of injury and initial visit, the average number of follow-up visits, and days until medically cleared for return-to-learn and return-to-play. Results The analytic sample included 18 patients with concussions who were seen for all of their visits via telehealth between August 2019 and April 2020. The mean age of the sample was 14.5 (SD 2.5) years. The radius of care was a median of 17 (IQR 11.0-31.0) miles from the clinic with a median time between injury and the first visit of 21 (IQR 6.0-41.5) days. The mean number of visits was 2.2 (SD 0.8) with a median days between visits of 5.4 (IQR 3.0-9.3) to manage and treat the concussion. Of the 18 patients, 55.6% (n=10) were medically cleared for return-to-learn or -play in a median of 15.5 (IQR 11.0-29.0) days. Conclusions Limited access to health care is a well-understood barrier for receiving quality care. Subsequently, there are increasing demands for flexibility in delivering concussion services remotely and in-clinic. This is the first paper to provide a clinically relevant framework for the assessment, management, and treatment of acute concussion via telehealth in a pediatric population.


2018 ◽  
Vol 40 (3) ◽  
pp. 268-275 ◽  
Author(s):  
Evan M. Loewy ◽  
Thomas H. Sanders ◽  
Arthur K. Walling

Background: Limited intermediate and no real long-term follow-up data have been published for total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) in the United States. This is a report of clinical follow-up data of a prospective, consecutive cohort of patients who underwent TAA by a single surgeon from 1999 to 2013 with the Scandinavian Total Ankle Replacement (STAR) prosthesis. Methods: Patients undergoing TAA at a single US institution were enrolled into a prospective study. These patients were followed at regular intervals with history, physical examination, and radiographs; American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) Ankle-Hindfoot Scale scores were obtained and recorded. Primary outcomes included implant survivability and functional outcomes scores. Secondary outcomes included perioperative complications such as periprosthetic or polyethylene fracture. Between 1999 and 2013, a total of 138 STAR TAAs were performed in 131 patients; 81 patients were female. The mean age at surgery was 61.5 ± 12.3 years (range, 30-88 years). The mean duration of follow-up for living patients who retained both initial components at final follow-up was 8.8±4.3 years (range 2-16.9 years). Results: The mean change in AOFAS Ankle-Hindfoot scores from preoperative to final follow-up was 36.0 ± 16.8 ( P < .0001). There were 21 (15.2%) implant failures that occurred at a mean 4.9 ± 4.5 years postoperation. Ten polyethylene components in 9 TAAs (6.5%) required replacement for fracture at an average 8.9 ± 3.3 years postoperatively. Fourteen patients died with their initial implants in place. Conclusion: This cohort of patients with true intermediate follow-up after TAA with the STAR prosthesis had acceptable implant survival, maintenance of improved patient-reported outcome scores, and low major complication rates. Level of Evidence: Level IV, case series.


Author(s):  
Michael J. Ellis ◽  
Lesley J. Ritchie ◽  
Patrick J. McDonald ◽  
Dean Cordingley ◽  
Karen Reimer ◽  
...  

AbstractObjectives: To summarize the clinical characteristics and outcomes of pediatric sports-related concussion (SRC) patients who were evaluated and managed at a multidisciplinary pediatric concussion program and examine the healthcare resources and personnel required to meet the needs of this patient population. Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of all pediatric SRC patients referred to the Pan Am Concussion Program from September 1st, 2013 to May 25th, 2015. Initial assessments and diagnoses were carried out by a single neurosurgeon. Return-to-Play decision-making was carried out by the multidisciplinary team. Results: 604 patients, including 423 pediatric SRC patients were evaluated at the Pan Am Concussion Program during the study period. The mean age of study patients was 14.30 years (SD: 2.32, range 7-19 years); 252 (59.57%) were males. Hockey (182; 43.03%) and soccer (60; 14.18%) were the most commonly played sports at the time of injury. Overall, 294 (69.50%) of SRC patients met the clinical criteria for concussion recovery, while 75 (17.73%) were lost to follow-up, and 53 (12.53%) remained in active treatment at the end of the study period. The median duration of symptoms among the 261 acute SRC patients with complete follow-up was 23 days (IQR: 15, 36). Overall, 25.30% of pediatric SRC patients underwent at least one diagnostic imaging test and 32.62% received referral to another member of our multidisciplinary clinical team. Conclusion: Comprehensive care of pediatric SRC patients requires access to appropriate diagnostic resources and the multidisciplinary collaboration of experts with national and provincially-recognized training in TBI.


PEDIATRICS ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 104 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 137-142 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert J. Haggerty ◽  
Sydney A. Sutherland

Objective. To determine the careers of graduates of the General Pediatrics Academic Development Program (GPADP) and the pediatricians from the Clinical Scholars (CS) Program 8 to 16 years after completion of their fellowship to assess the current state of the academic general pediatrician and to determine the current activities of divisions of General Pediatrics in US medical schools. Design. Analysis of questionnaire data from former fellows of the two programs, who trained during the years 1978 to 1988, as well as of data from questionnaires to all divisions of General Pediatrics (or their equivalent) in all medical schools in the United States. Population. Surveys were conducted of the 111 graduates of the GPADP and the 39 pediatricians from the CS program and all 127 US medical schools. Results. Of the 111 GPADP graduates, 101 were located, and 85 completed the questionnaire. Of 39 CS graduates, 36 were located, of whom 27 completed the questionnaire. Similarities were found between the two groups in percent being in academic positions (74%, GPADP vs 70.4%, CS), percent having achieved tenure (17.8%, GPADP vs 14.3%, CS), and percent of time spent in research (17%, GPADP vs 25%, CS). Considerable differences, however, were found in percent of time spent in direct patient care (35.7% time for GPADP and only 17.8% time for CS) and in direct teaching (25.1% time for GPADP and only 17.6% time for CS). The mean number of articles published was greater among CS professionals (21.4 vs 14 for GPADP, but not statistically significant), as was the mean number of research grants (6.75 by CS vs 4.02 by GPADP). The GPADP fellows had obtained more education grants and more service grants. Both groups were concerned about the lack of time and support for research. Few General Pediatrics divisions had ongoing academic fellowship programs. The current number of new fellows by divisions of General Pediatrics who are educated to do research is small. Only 30 related programs exist in all the medical schools in the United States. However, large divisions of General Pediatrics, responsible for large teaching and clinical service programs, are now in place in the majority of medical schools. This represents progress since 1978, when few generalists were in full-time academia. Conclusion. More than two thirds of both the GPADP graduates and CS professionals are now in academic departments. They have had modest success in obtaining grants, publishing articles, and achieving tenure, but large teaching and service demands and lack of research funds have made it difficult for both groups to be as productive in research as originally hoped. The field of Academic General Pediatrics now is established. It is the responsibility of graduates of these and similar programs to produce creative research and expand fellowship programs, as well as to do good clinical care, if a vigorous field of Academic General Pediatrics is to be achieved.


2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 3
Author(s):  
Shipra Bansal ◽  
Kannan Kasturi ◽  
Vivian Chin

A pediatrician’s approach to newborn screening (NBS) impacts patient care. Some physicians have reported not being well prepared to inform families about a positive NBS and recommend further follow-up. The knowledge and approach of categorical pediatric residents (RES) in the United States regarding NBS is not known. They were anonymously surveyed via listserv maintained by American Academy of Pediatrics. A total of 655 responses were analyzed. The mean composite knowledge score (CKS) was 17.7 (SD 1.8), out of maximum 21. Training level (p = 0.001) and completing NICU rotation (p < 0.001) predicted higher CKS. Most RES agreed that NBS is useful and pediatricians play an important role in the NBS process, however, only 62% were comfortable with counseling. Higher level RES were more likely to follow NBS results in clinic (p = 0.0027) and know the contact agency for results (p < 0.001). Most RES wanted more NBS training during residency and were not aware of clinical algorithms like ACTion sheets developed by American College of Medical Genetics. We concluded that although RES have sufficient knowledge about NBS, there is a need for earlier RES education on available tools for NBS to enhance their comfort level and improve practices such as educating parents about the NBS process.


2019 ◽  
Vol 71 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-62 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gloria H Hong ◽  
Ana M Ortega-Villa ◽  
Sally Hunsberger ◽  
Ploenchan Chetchotisakd ◽  
Siriluck Anunnatsiri ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The natural history of anti-interferon-γ (IFN-γ) autoantibody-associated immunodeficiency syndrome is not well understood. Methods Data of 74 patients with anti-IFN-γ autoantibodies at Srinagarind Hospital, Thailand, were collected annually (median follow-up duration, 7.5 years). Annual data for 19 patients and initial data for 4 patients with anti-IFN-γ autoantibodies at the US National Institutes of Health were collected (median follow-up duration, 4.5 years). Anti-IFN-γ autoantibody levels were measured in plasma samples. Results Ninety-one percent of US patients were of Southeast Asian descent; there was a stronger female predominance (91%) in US than Thai (64%) patients. Mycobacterium abscessus (34%) and Mycobacterium avium complex (83%) were the most common nontuberculous mycobacteria in Thailand and the United States, respectively. Skin infections were more common in Thailand (P = .001), whereas bone (P &lt; .0001), lung (P = .002), and central nervous system (P = .03) infections were more common in the United States. Twenty-four percent of Thai patients died, most from infections. None of the 19 US patients with follow-up data died. Anti-IFN-γ autoantibody levels decreased over time in Thailand (P &lt; .001) and the United States (P = .017), with either cyclophosphamide (P = .01) or rituximab therapy (P = .001). Conclusions Patients with anti-IFN-γ autoantibodies in Thailand and the United States had distinct demographic and clinical features. While titers generally decreased with time, anti-IFN-γ autoantibody disease had a chronic clinical course with persistent infections and death. Close long-term surveillance for new infections is recommended.


2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 1027.2-1027
Author(s):  
A. R. Broder ◽  
W. Mowrey ◽  
A. Valle ◽  
B. Goilav ◽  
K. Yoshida ◽  
...  

Background:The development of ESRD due to lupus nephritis is one of the most common and serious complications of SLE. Mortality among SLE ESRD patients is 4-fold higher compared to lupus nephritis patients with preserved renal function1Mortality in SLE ESRD is also twice as high compared with non-SLE ESRD, even though SLE patients develop ESRD at a significantly younger age. In the absence of ESRD specific guidelines, medication utilization in SLE ESRD is unknown.Objectives:The objective of this study was to investigate the real-world current US-wide patterns of medication prescribing among lupus nephritis patients with new onset ESRD enrolled in the United States Renal Disease Systems (USRDS) registry. We specifically focused on HCQ and corticosteroids (CS) as the most used medications to treat SLE.Methods:Inclusion: USRDS patients 18 years and above with SLE as a primary cause of ESRD (International Classification of Diseases, 9thRevision (ICD9) diagnostic code 710.0, previously validated2). who developed ESRD between January 1st, 2006 and July 31, 2011 (to ensure at least 6 months of follow-up in the USRDS). Patients had to be enrolled in Medicare Part D (to capture pharmacy claims). The last follow-up date was defined as either the last date of continuous part D coverage or the end of the study period, Dec 31, 2013.Results:Of the 2579 patients included, 1708 (66%) were HCQ- at baseline, and 871 (34%) were HCQ+ at baseline. HCQ+ patients at baseline had a slightly lower duration of follow-up compared to HCQ- patients at baseline, median (IQR) of 2.32 (1.33, 3.97) years and 2.55 (1.44, 4.25) years, respectively, p= 0.02. During follow-up period, only 778 (30%) continued HCQ either intermittently or continuously to the last follow-up date, 1306 (51%) were never prescribed HCQ after baseline, and 495 (19%) discontinued HCQ before the last follow-up date. Of the 1801 patients who were either never prescribed or discontinued HCQ early after ESRD onset, 713 (40%) were prescribed CS to the end of the follow-up period: 55% were receiving a low dose <10mg/daily, and 43 were receiving moderate dose (10-20mg daily)Conclusion:HCQ may be underprescribed and CS may be overprescribed in SLE ESRD. Changing the current prescribing practices may improve outcomes in SLE ESRDReferences:[1]Yap DY et al., NDT 2012.[2]Broder A et al., AC&R 2016.Acknowledgments :The data reported here have been supplied by the United States Renal Data System (USRDS). The interpretation and reporting of these data are the responsibility of the author(s) and in no way should be seen as an official policy or interpretation of the U.S. government.Funding: :NIH/NIAMS K23 AR068441 (A Broder), NIH/NIAMS R01 AR 057327 and K24 AR 066109 (KH Costenbader)Disclosure of Interests: :Anna R. Broder: None declared, Wenzhu Mowrey: None declared, Anna Valle: None declared, Beatrice Goilav: None declared, Kazuki Yoshida: None declared, Karen Costenbader Grant/research support from: Merck, Consultant of: Astra-Zeneca


2021 ◽  
pp. bmjsrh-2020-200966
Author(s):  
Heidi Moseson ◽  
Laura Fix ◽  
Caitlin Gerdts ◽  
Sachiko Ragosta ◽  
Jen Hastings ◽  
...  

BackgroundTransgender, nonbinary and gender-expansive (TGE) people face barriers to abortion care and may consider abortion without clinical supervision.MethodsIn 2019, we recruited participants for an online survey about sexual and reproductive health. Eligible participants were TGE people assigned female or intersex at birth, 18 years and older, from across the United States, and recruited through The PRIDE Study or via online and in-person postings.ResultsOf 1694 TGE participants, 76 people (36% of those ever pregnant) reported considering trying to end a pregnancy on their own without clinical supervision, and a subset of these (n=40; 19% of those ever pregnant) reported attempting to do so. Methods fell into four broad categories: herbs (n=15, 38%), physical trauma (n=10, 25%), vitamin C (n=8, 20%) and substance use (n=7, 18%). Reasons given for abortion without clinical supervision ranged from perceived efficiency and desire for privacy, to structural issues including a lack of health insurance coverage, legal restrictions, denials of or mistreatment within clinical care, and cost.ConclusionsThese data highlight a high proportion of sampled TGE people who have attempted abortion without clinical supervision. This could reflect formidable barriers to facility-based abortion care as well as a strong desire for privacy and autonomy in the abortion process. Efforts are needed to connect TGE people with information on safe and effective methods of self-managed abortion and to dismantle barriers to clinical abortion care so that TGE people may freely choose a safe, effective abortion in either setting.


CHEST Journal ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kim M. Kerr ◽  
C. Greg Elliott ◽  
Kelly Chin ◽  
Raymond L. Benza ◽  
Richard N. Channick ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
pp. 073346482097760
Author(s):  
Manka Nkimbeng ◽  
Yvonne Commodore-Mensah ◽  
Jacqueline L. Angel ◽  
Karen Bandeen-Roche ◽  
Roland J. Thorpe ◽  
...  

Acculturation and racial discrimination have been independently associated with physical function limitations in immigrant and United States (U.S.)-born populations. This study examined the relationships among acculturation, racial discrimination, and physical function limitations in N = 165 African immigrant older adults using multiple linear regression. The mean age was 62 years ( SD = 8 years), and 61% were female. Older adults who resided in the United States for 10 years or more had more physical function limitations compared with those who resided here for less than 10 years ( b = −2.62, 95% confidence interval [CI] = [–5.01, –0.23]). Compared to lower discrimination, those with high discrimination had more physical function limitations ( b = −2.51, 95% CI = [–4.91, –0.17]), but this was no longer significant after controlling for length of residence and acculturation strategy. Residing in the United States for more than 10 years is associated with poorer physical function. Longitudinal studies with large, diverse samples of African immigrants are needed to confirm these associations.


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