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Nevin SM, Le Marne FA, Beavis E, Macintosh R, Palmer EE, Sachdev R, Nunn K, Bye A. Psychosocial experiences of clinicians providing care for children with severe neurological impairment. Dev Med Child Neurol 2024. [PMID: 38837791 DOI: 10.1111/dmcn.15987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Revised: 04/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
AIM To investigate clinicians' psychosocial experiences navigating interdisciplinary care for children with severe neurological impairment (SNI), for example children with a developmental epileptic encephalopathy; secondarily, to identify preferences for future interventions to support clinicians caring for children with SNI. METHOD We conducted a qualitative descriptive study with interdisciplinary clinicians by using a purposeful sampling recruitment strategy. Twenty-four participants with expertise caring for children with SNI completed in-depth, semi-structured interviews. We transcribed the interviews, de-identified them, and performed inductive thematic analysis. RESULTS Thematic analysis elicited interrelated themes. Clinicians experienced immense professional barriers providing patient-centred care across fragmented healthcare contexts. Physical, emotional, and psychological impacts were attributed to inadequate reflective practice training and a paucity of integrated resources to support clinicians over time. Multipronged strategies were prioritized by clinicians, incorporating psychoeducation, interdisciplinary peer mentorship, and psychological resources to build reflective practice skills for clinicians providing complex care in an advancing era of medicine. INTERPRETATION This study provides novel and in-depth insight into clinicians' experiences navigating care for children with SNI. The results will be used to inform future integrated and multipronged co-developed resources tailored for clinicians, on the basis of their recommendations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suzanne M Nevin
- School of Clinical Medicine, UNSW Medicine & Health, Randwick Clinical Campus, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Behavioral Sciences Unit, Kids Cancer Centre, Sydney Children's Hospital Network, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - Fleur A Le Marne
- School of Clinical Medicine, UNSW Medicine & Health, Randwick Clinical Campus, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Department of Neurology, Sydney Children's Hospital Network, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - Erin Beavis
- Department of Neurology, Sydney Children's Hospital Network, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - Rebecca Macintosh
- Centre for Clinical Genetics, Sydney Children's Hospital Network, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - Elizabeth E Palmer
- School of Clinical Medicine, UNSW Medicine & Health, Randwick Clinical Campus, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Centre for Clinical Genetics, Sydney Children's Hospital Network, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - Rani Sachdev
- School of Clinical Medicine, UNSW Medicine & Health, Randwick Clinical Campus, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Centre for Clinical Genetics, Sydney Children's Hospital Network, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - Kenneth Nunn
- Department of Psychological Medicine Sydney, Children's Hospital Network, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Ann Bye
- School of Clinical Medicine, UNSW Medicine & Health, Randwick Clinical Campus, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Department of Neurology, Sydney Children's Hospital Network, Randwick, NSW, Australia
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Kelada L, Robertson EG, McKay S, McGill BC, Daly R, Mazariego C, Taylor N, Tyedmers E, Armitage N, Evans HE, Wakefield CE, Ziegler DS. Communicating with families of young people with hard-to-treat cancers: Healthcare professionals' perspectives on challenges, skills, and training. Palliat Support Care 2024; 22:539-545. [PMID: 38263685 DOI: 10.1017/s1478951523001992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Hard-to-treat childhood cancers are those where standard treatment options do not exist and the prognosis is poor. Healthcare professionals (HCPs) are responsible for communicating with families about prognosis and complex experimental treatments. We aimed to identify HCPs' key challenges and skills required when communicating with families about hard-to-treat cancers and their perceptions of communication-related training. METHODS We interviewed Australian HCPs who had direct responsibilities in managing children/adolescents with hard-to-treat cancer within the past 24 months. Interviews were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. RESULTS We interviewed 10 oncologists, 7 nurses, and 3 social workers. HCPs identified several challenges for communication with families including: balancing information provision while maintaining realistic hope; managing their own uncertainty; and nurses and social workers being underutilized during conversations with families, despite widespread preferences for multidisciplinary teamwork. HCPs perceived that making themselves available to families, empowering them to ask questions, and repeating information helped to establish and maintain trusting relationships with families. Half the HCPs reported receiving no formal training for communicating prognosis and treatment options with families of children with hard-to-treat cancers. Nurses, social workers, and less experienced oncologists supported the development of communication training resources, more so than more experienced oncologists. SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS Resources are needed which support HCPs to communicate with families of children with hard-to-treat cancers. Such resources may be particularly beneficial for junior oncologists and other HCPs during their training, and they should aim to prepare them for common challenges and foster greater multidisciplinary collaboration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren Kelada
- Discipline of Pediatrics and Child Health, School of Clinical Medicine, UNSW Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Behavioural Sciences Unit, Kids Cancer Centre, Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - Eden G Robertson
- Discipline of Pediatrics and Child Health, School of Clinical Medicine, UNSW Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Behavioural Sciences Unit, Kids Cancer Centre, Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - Skye McKay
- School of Population Health, UNSW Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Brittany C McGill
- Discipline of Pediatrics and Child Health, School of Clinical Medicine, UNSW Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Behavioural Sciences Unit, Kids Cancer Centre, Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - Rebecca Daly
- Discipline of Pediatrics and Child Health, School of Clinical Medicine, UNSW Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Behavioural Sciences Unit, Kids Cancer Centre, Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - Carolyn Mazariego
- School of Population Health, UNSW Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Natalie Taylor
- School of Population Health, UNSW Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Elijah Tyedmers
- School of Population Health, UNSW Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Nicole Armitage
- Pain and Palliative Care Service, Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - Holly E Evans
- Discipline of Pediatrics and Child Health, School of Clinical Medicine, UNSW Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Behavioural Sciences Unit, Kids Cancer Centre, Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - Claire E Wakefield
- Discipline of Pediatrics and Child Health, School of Clinical Medicine, UNSW Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Behavioural Sciences Unit, Kids Cancer Centre, Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - David S Ziegler
- Discipline of Pediatrics and Child Health, School of Clinical Medicine, UNSW Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Kids Cancer Centre, Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick, NSW, Australia
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Boztepe H, Çınar Özbay S, Akçam A, Kanbay Y. The pediatric provider communication skills assessment scale. JOURNAL OF CHILD AND ADOLESCENT PSYCHIATRIC NURSING 2023; 36:307-315. [PMID: 37394543 DOI: 10.1111/jcap.12433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2023] [Revised: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023]
Abstract
PROBLEM Building rapport and trust between healthcare professional and patient/parents would improve satisfaction of patient/parents. The purpose of this study was to develop "The Pediatric Provider Communication Skills Assessment Scale" in this study. METHODS A trial form, with linguistic and psychometric validation and consisting of 44 statements, was administered to a sample of 325 individuals. Data were collected between January 20 and October 22, 2021. The validity of the scale was concluded after examining its construct validity and internal validity. "Exploratory factor analysis" was used for determining construct validity, and "comparison of lower-upper groups" for internal validity. "Cronbach's α reliability coefficient" and "split half test consistency coefficient" were calculated for testing the reliability of the scale. FINDINGS The Pediatric Provider Communication Skills Assessment Scale that we developed consists of one dimension and 20 items, and the variance it can explain was calculated as 62.3%. The Cronbach α reliability coefficient of the scale was calculated as 0.90, indicating high reliability. CONCLUSIONS According to the findings, "The Pediatric Provider Communication Skills Assessment Scale" is a scale with features that can measure in a valid and reliable way, with high variance and a low number of items. The study aims to develop the "The Pediatric Provider Communication Skills Assessment Scale," and present it to the literature as a validated and reliable new objective measurement tool. This study will enable us to understand more about the complex communication processes involved in pediatric care and how these may influence care delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Handan Boztepe
- Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Atilim University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Sevil Çınar Özbay
- Emergency Aid and Disaster Management, Faculty of Health Sciences, Artvin Coruh University, Artvin, Turkey
| | - Aysun Akçam
- Department of Turkish Language Teaching, Faculty of Education, Necmettin Erbakan University, Konya, Turkey
| | - Yalçın Kanbay
- Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Artvin Coruh University, Artvin, Turkey
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Merz A, Feifer D, Avery M, Tsuchiyose E, Eche I, Awofeso O, Wolfe J, Dussel V, Requena ML. Patient-Reported Outcome Benefits for Children with Advanced Cancer and Parents: A Qualitative Study. J Pain Symptom Manage 2023; 66:e327-e334. [PMID: 37290730 PMCID: PMC10527560 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2023.05.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT Electronic patient-reported outcomes (e-PROs) in pediatric oncology may be useful to track patients' symptoms and quality of life (QoL). However, implementation in the clinical setting is limited and few studies have examined child and parent perspectives on e-PRO usage. OBJECTIVES This brief report aims to explore child and parent perspectives on the benefits of using e-PROs to routinely report on symptoms and QoL. METHODS We analyzed qualitative data embedded within the PediQUEST Response trial, a randomized controlled trial aimed at early palliative care integration for children with advanced cancer and their parents. Study dyads, made up of a child and their parent, completed weekly surveys assessing symptoms and QoL for 18 weeks, and were invited to participate in an audio-recorded exit interview to share study feedback. Interview transcripts were analyzed with a thematic analysis approach, with emergent themes centered on the benefits of e-PRO usage reported here. RESULTS Of 154 total randomized participants, we collected 147 exit interviews representing 105 child participants. Interviewed children (n=47) and parents (n=104) were mostly White and non-Hispanic. Two predominant themes emerged regarding e-PRO benefits:1) raised reflection and awareness of self and others' experiences, and 2) increased communication and connection between parents and children or between study dyads and care teams through survey prompted discussion. CONCLUSION Advanced pediatric cancer patients and their parents found benefit in completing routine e-PROs as they promoted greater reflection and awareness and increased communication. These results may inform further integration of e-PROs in routine pediatric oncology care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Merz
- Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care (A.M., D.F., E.T., I.E., OA, J.W., M.L.R.), Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Deborah Feifer
- Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care (A.M., D.F., E.T., I.E., OA, J.W., M.L.R.), Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Madeline Avery
- Pediatric Palliative Care, Department of Pediatrics (M.A., J.W., V.D.), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Erika Tsuchiyose
- Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care (A.M., D.F., E.T., I.E., OA, J.W., M.L.R.), Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Community Health (E.T.), Tufts University, Medford, MA, USA
| | - Ijeoma Eche
- Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care (A.M., D.F., E.T., I.E., OA, J.W., M.L.R.), Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Opeyemi Awofeso
- Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care (A.M., D.F., E.T., I.E., OA, J.W., M.L.R.), Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA; Harvard Medical School (O.A., J.W.), Boston, MA, USA
| | - Joanne Wolfe
- Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care (A.M., D.F., E.T., I.E., OA, J.W., M.L.R.), Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA; Pediatric Palliative Care, Department of Pediatrics (M.A., J.W., V.D.), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Harvard Medical School (O.A., J.W.), Boston, MA, USA
| | - Veronica Dussel
- Pediatric Palliative Care, Department of Pediatrics (M.A., J.W., V.D.), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Maria Laura Requena
- Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care (A.M., D.F., E.T., I.E., OA, J.W., M.L.R.), Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA; Center for Research and Implementation in Palliative Care (M.L.R.), Institute for Clinical Effectiveness and Health Policy (IECS), Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Mastropolo R, Altschuler A, Brock KE, Casperson M, Chao CR, Fisher L, Greenzang KA, Kushi LH, Lakin JR, Lefebvre A, Schwartz CM, Shalman DM, Wall CB, Wiener L, Mack JW. Patient, Caregiver, and Clinician Perspectives on Core Components of Therapeutic Alliance for Adolescents and Young Adults With Advanced Cancer: A Qualitative Study. JAMA Netw Open 2023; 6:e2328153. [PMID: 37556137 PMCID: PMC10413170 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.28153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Importance The patient-clinician therapeutic alliance is an important aspect of high-quality cancer care. However, components of the therapeutic alliance in adolescents and young adults (AYAs, aged 12-39 years) with cancer have not been defined. Objective To identify components of and barriers to the therapeutic alliance between AYAs, caregivers, and clinicians from the perspective of all key stakeholders. Design, Setting, and Participants In this qualitative study, semistructured in-depth interviews with patients, caregivers, and clinicians were conducted from 2018 to 2021 with no additional follow-up, with content analysis of resulting transcripts. Participants were recruited from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Kaiser Permanente Southern California, and an online cancer support community (Cactus Cancer Society). Eligible participants were English- or Spanish-speaking. Eligible patients were aged 12 to 39 years with stage IV or recurrent cancer. Eligible caregivers cared for an AYA living with advanced cancer or one who had died within 5 years. Eligible clinicians routinely provided care for AYAs with cancer. Main Outcomes and Measures Perspectives on therapeutic alliance. Results Interviews were conducted with 80 participants: 23 were patients (48% were female; 78% were White), 28 were caregivers (82% were female; 50% were White), and 29 were clinicians (69% were female; 45% were White). The mean (SD) age of patients was 29 (7.3) years. Interviews identified 6 components of therapeutic alliance: (1) compassion; (2) sense of connection; (3) clinician presence; (4) information sharing; (5) shared goals; and (6) individualization of care. While some domains were represented in prior models of therapeutic alliance, a unique domain was identified related to the need for individualization of the approach to care for AYA patients and their caregivers. Interviews also identified potential barriers to building the therapeutic alliance specific to the AYA population, including managing discordant needs between patients and caregivers and communication challenges at the end of life. Conclusions and Relevance This study identified core components and barriers to building therapeutic alliance in the AYA advanced cancer population from the perspective of all the key stakeholders in the relationship. A novel component highlighting the need for individualization was identified. This model enables a deeper understanding of how to build therapeutic alliance in the AYA advanced cancer population, which may guide clinician training and facilitate improved care for this vulnerable population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosemarie Mastropolo
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Andrea Altschuler
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland
| | - Katharine E. Brock
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Emory University and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Mallory Casperson
- Divisions of Pediatric Oncology and Palliative Care, Cactus Cancer Society, Oakland, California
| | - Chun R. Chao
- Department of Research and Evaluation (C.R.C.), Kaiser Permanente Southern California, Pasadena
| | - Lauren Fisher
- Division of Population Sciences, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Katie A. Greenzang
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
- Division of Population Sciences, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Lawrence H. Kushi
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland
| | - Joshua R. Lakin
- Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Anna Lefebvre
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Corey M. Schwartz
- Division of Medical Oncology, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland
| | - Dov M. Shalman
- Department of Palliative Care, Kaiser Permanente Southern California, Pasadena
| | - Catherine B. Wall
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Lori Wiener
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Jennifer W. Mack
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
- Division of Population Sciences, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
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Advice to Clinicians on Communication from Adolescents and Young Adults with Cancer and Parents of Children with Cancer. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 10:children10010007. [PMID: 36670560 PMCID: PMC9856802 DOI: 10.3390/children10010007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2022] [Revised: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Effective communication is integral to patient and family-centered care in pediatric and adolescent and young adult (AYA) oncology and improving healthcare delivery and outcomes. There is limited knowledge about whether AYAs and parents have similar communication preferences and needs. By eliciting and comparing communication advice from AYAs and parents, we can identify salient guidance for how clinicians can better communicate. We performed secondary analysis of semi-structured interviews from 2 qualitative communication studies. In one study, 80 parents of children with cancer during treatment, survivorship, or bereavement were interviewed. In the second study, AYAs with cancer during treatment or survivorship were interviewed. We asked AYAs and parents to provide communication advice for oncology clinicians. Using thematic analysis, we identified categories of advice related to three overarching themes: interpersonal relationships, informational preferences, and delivery of treatment, resources, and medical care. AYAs and parents provided similar advice about the need for compassion, strong connections, hopefulness, commitment, and transparent honesty However, AYAs placed additional emphasis on clinicians maintaining a calm demeanor.
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Kaye EC, Woods C, Velrajan S, Lemmon ME, Baker JN, Mack JW. Broaching goals-of-care conversations in advancing pediatric cancer. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2021; 68:e29270. [PMID: 34357679 PMCID: PMC8422283 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.29270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Revised: 07/17/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Broaching conversations about goals of care can be difficult for clinicians. Presently, the communication strategies used by pediatric oncologists to approach goals of care conversations are not well understood. We recorded disease re-evaluation conversations between pediatric oncologists, patients, and parents, capturing 141 conversations (∼2400 minutes) for 17 patients with advancing illness across the study period. We conducted content analysis to identify strategies for broaching goals-of-care conversations and found five distinct communication approaches, which were not mutually exclusive. Further research is needed to explore patient and family views on best practices for broaching discussions about goals of care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erica C. Kaye
- Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Cameka Woods
- Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | | | - Monica E. Lemmon
- Department of Pediatrics, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Justin N. Baker
- Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Jennifer W. Mack
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA,Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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