Pediatric self-management: a framework for research, practice, and policy

Medication adherence and its relationship with stress, anxiety and depression in parents or caregivers of epileptic children

BACKGROUND

Epilepsy during childhood can have a highly important effect on the family system. Parents of epileptic children may experience stress, anxiety, and depression. Adherence to treatment has been reported to be suboptimal among children with epilepsy.

METHOD

In this descriptive, correlational study, the convinience sampling method was used to select 100 caregivers of children with epilepsy, referring to the neurological department and clinic. The required data were collected using the Pediatric Epilepsy Medication Self-Management Questionnaire (PEMSQ) to evaluate parents' medication self-management, one of which is adherence to treatment. In addition, the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21) was utilized to assess the levels of stress, anxiety, and depression in parents.

RESULT

Based on the results, the mean scores (SD) of depression, anxiety, and stress were 33 (9), 27 (10), and 26 (9), respectively. The total score for medication self-management was 111.72 ± 13.5. Among the four fields of PEMSQ, knowledge and expectations from the patient had the lowest score, while treatment barriers represented the highest score. there was a statistically significant, mild correlation between parental stress level and parental disease knowledge and expectations.

CONCLUSION

The findings of the current study revealed that most caregivers had high levels of stress, anxiety, and depression. there is a statistically significant but mostly weak relationship between parents' stress, anxiety, and depression and disease knowledge and expectations, medication adherence, beliefs about medication efficacy, barriers to treatment, and overall medication self-management.

Objective detection of wheeze at home by parents through a digital device: usage patterns and relationship with SABA administration

INTRODUCTION

Wheezing is an important indicator of exacerbated respiratory symptoms in early childhood and must be monitored to regulate pharmacological therapy. However, parents' subjective perception of wheezing in their children is not always precise. We investigated the objective identification of children's wheezing by parents using a digital wheeze detector (WheezeScanTM, OMRON Healthcare Co. Ltd), its longitudinal usage patterns, and its relationship with SABA administration.

METHODS

We conducted a secondary nested analysis of data from the intervention arm of a multi-center randomized controlled trial completed in 2021-2022 in Berlin (Germany), London (United Kingdom), and Istanbul (Turkey). Children aged 4 to 84 months with doctor's diagnosed wheezing (GINA step 1 or 2) were included. Using an electronic diary (Wheeze-MonitorTM, TPS), parents monitored and recorded for 120 days at home the presence or absence of their child's wheezing, detected both, with WheezeScanTM ("objective" wheezing), and subjective ("perceived" wheezing). Parents also recorded the child's symptoms, medication intake, and family quality of life. Questionnaires regarding symptom control, quality of life, and parental self-efficacy were answered at baseline and after 90 and 120 days.

RESULTS

Eighty-one/87 families completed the intervention arm of the study. WheezeScanTM was on average used 0.7 (SD 0.6) times a day, with each patient reporting a positive, negative, or "error" outcome on average in 57%, 39%, and 5% of measurements, respectively. The use of WheezeScanTM declined slightly during the first 90 days of monitoring and steeply thereafter. Repeated usage of WheezeScanTM in the same day was more frequent after a "wheeze" (HR 1.5, 95% CI 1.37-1.65, p < 0.001) and an "error" (HR 2.01, 95% CI 1.70-2.38, p < 0.001) result, compared to a "no wheeze" outcome. The average per-patient daily agreement between "objective" and "perceived" wheezing/non-wheezing was 75% at the start of the monitoring period and only weakly persisted as time passed (Spearman's rho=0.09). The frequency of short-acting beta-2-agonists (SABA) administration was lower in days with closely interspaced consecutive device uses during which the patient's status was perceived as "never wheeze" (32/455, 7%) than in those perceived as "persistent wheeze" (53/119, 44%; OR 36.6, 95% CI [14.3, 94.1]).

CONCLUSION

Daily use of a digital WheezeScanTM at home allows parents to detect their child's unperceived wheezing and discloses to caregivers the longitudinal patterns of a child's wheezing disorder. Digital monitoring of wheezing also highlights poor adherence to guidelines in SABA administration for wheezing children, with under-treatment being much more frequent than over-treatment. This pioneering study opens new perspectives for further investigation of digital wheeze detectors in the early diagnosis and proper self-management of wheezing disorders in childhood.

Clean intermittent catheterisation determinants and caregiver adherence in paediatric patients with spinal dysraphism and spinal cord injury in a paediatric spinal differences clinic: a mixed methods study protocol

INTRODUCTION

Clean intermittent catheterisation (CIC) is the standard of care for treating neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction (NLUTD), the most common bladder dysfunction in children diagnosed with spinal dysraphism (SD) and spinal cord injury (SCI). Failure to follow the prescribed CIC regimen results in urinary tract infections, incontinence and renal insufficiency. Adherence to CIC is suboptimal, with reported non-adherence rates of 18%-66%. Despite the efficacy of CIC, the research on CIC adherence is not well defined in the literature and even less for caregivers of children on CIC protocols.

METHODS

This proposed study aims to identify caregiver CIC adherence and determinants while exploring the personal experiences of performing CIC from the perspective of caregivers of children with NLUTD due to SD and SCI. This cross-sectional, correlational, convergent mixed methods study design in which qualitative and quantitative data will be collected simultaneously will be used to study the level of adherence and the relationship of caregiver determinants to CIC in children with SD and SCI and adherence to the CIC protocol. Convenience sampling will be used to identify 60 adult caregivers who can read and write English or Spanish and have a child diagnosed with SD and SCI who is currently prescribed CIC by a urology provider.

ANALYSIS

The adherence data will be reported as frequency and percentages. A correlation analysis will be computed to assess the association between determinants measured by the Clean Intermittent Catheterization-Caregiver Questionnaire and adherence levels measured with the Intermittent Catheterization Adherence Scale. Thematic analysis will be used to analyse and interpret the interview data. A comparison joint display will be developed to compare quantitative and qualitative data results.

ETHICAL AND DISSEMINATION

Institutional review board approval was obtained from the Children's Mercy Kansas City (Study00003003) and the University of Missouri-Kansas City (#2100185). The study's main results will be disseminated to caregiver participants, published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at conferences.

A Smooth Transition: Assessing Transition Readiness in Adolescents with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

BACKGROUND

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is an early onset condition that affects individuals of all ages. Approximately 15%-25% of patients present before the age of 20 years, with peak onset occurring during adolescence.

AIMS

To evaluate transition readiness among adolescents diagnosed with IBD and identify barriers to transition.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional study of patients with IBD aged 12-21 years. Patients were stratified by age into three groups: A (12-14 years), B (14-17 years), and C (17 + years). Patients were asked to complete a questionnaire which assessed patient knowledge in three areas of transition: 'Taking Charge,' 'My Health,' and 'Using Health Care.' Fisher's Exact and Chi-Square tests were used to evaluate the associations between age and transition readiness.

RESULTS

A total of 127 participants (68 males and 59 females) with a mean age of 16.14 years were included. Transition readiness increased with age from 60.7% in Group A to 63.2% and 77.9% in Groups B and C, respectively (p < 0.001). Patient confidence and the importance of transition increased with age, with means of 5.51, 6.17, and 6.94 in Groups A, B, and C (p = 0.02). Patient-reported knowledge of their health condition was > 70%, with no statistical differences between the groups (p = 0.65). Patient knowledge regarding 'Using Health Care' increased from 52% in Group A to 79% in Group C (p < 0.001). The greatest barriers to transitioning were carrying health information for Group A (100%) and obtaining provider referrals for Groups B (75%) and C (51%).

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrated that transition readiness increases with age in adolescents with IBD.

Adherence Rates and Barriers to Second-Generation Antipsychotic Medication Use in Youth with Bipolar Spectrum Disorders Who Have Overweight/Obesity

Objective: Youth with bipolar spectrum disorders (BSD) are frequently prescribed second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs). Nonadherence to treatment often results in increased mood symptoms and diminished quality of life. We examined SGA adherence rates and adherence barriers among youth who have overweight/obesity and are diagnosed with BSD enrolled in a multisite pragmatic clinical trial. Methods: SGA adherence and adherence barriers at baseline via patient- and caregiver report was assessed. Adherence was defined as taking ≥70% of prescribed SGA doses in the past week. The weighted Kappa statistic was used to measure child-caregiver agreement about adherence rates, barriers, and caregiver assistance. Regression analyses were used to examine associations of caregiver assistance, age, sex, race, insurance status, dosing frequency, and number of concomitant medications with adherence. Barriers to adherence were analyzed separately for youth and their caregivers, using logistic regression to assess associations between informant-reported barriers and informant-reported adherence. Results: Participants included 1485 patients and/or caregivers. At baseline, 88.6% of patients self-reported as adherent; 92.0% of caregivers reported their child was adherent. Concordance between patients and caregivers was moderate (k = 0.42). Approximately, 50% of the sample reported no adherence barriers. Frequently endorsed barriers included forgetting, side effects, being embarrassed to take medications, and preferring to do something else. Concordance between informants regarding adherence barriers was weak (k = 0.05-0.36). Patients and caregivers who did not endorse adherence barriers reported higher adherence than those who endorsed barriers. Male sex and having once daily dosing of medications were associated with lower adherence. Discussion: One-week patient- and caregiver-reported adherence was high in this sample. Half of the sample reported adherence barriers. Most commonly endorsed barriers were forgetting, side effects, being embarrassed, and preferring to do something else. Caregivers and patients have unique perspectives regarding adherence barriers. Understanding and addressing treatment barriers in clinical practice may facilitate adherence.

The pediatric self-management model in asthma: A theory analysis and evaluation

THEORETICAL PRINCIPLES

The Pediatric Self-management Model (PSMM) is a middle-range theory geared at understanding the relationship between factors influencing chronic illness management in children. PSMM is a family-centered model that focuses on the unique factors present in the pediatric population.

PHENOMENA ADDRESSED

Pediatric asthma is a leading chronic respiratory illness in the United States, affecting over 4.6 million children in 2020. Over 40% of children with asthma will have at least one exacerbation per year. On average, a child with asthma will miss nine additional school days annually. Using the Walker and Avant framework for theory analysis, the PSMM is examined through the lens of pediatric asthma to evaluate its applicability to pediatric asthma shared management and adherence.

RESEARCH LINKAGES

The PSMM has been used as a framework for understanding the roles of managing chronic illness in children, but it has yet to be applied to pediatric asthma. Asthma outcomes inherently depend on preventative medicine and home care strategies for symptom management and response outside the healthcare facility. The PSMM is a new framework for understanding barriers and facilitators within pediatric asthma management and highlights the importance of the dyadic relationship between child and parent to successfully share healthcare responsibility.

A 6-month, prospective, randomized controlled trial of customized adherence enhancement versus a bipolar-specific educational control in poorly adherent adolescents and young adults living with bipolar disorder

OBJECTIVE

Few studies have addressed medication adherence in adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with bipolar disorder (BD). This 6-month prospective randomized-controlled trial (RCT) tested customized adherence enhancement for adolescents and young adults (CAE-AYA), a behavioral intervention for AYAs versus enhanced treatment as usual (ETAU).

METHODS

Inclusion criteria were AYAs age 13-21 with BD type I or II with suboptimal adherence defined as missing ≥20% of medications. Assessments were conducted at Screening, Baseline, and weeks 8, 12 and 24. Primary outcome was past 7 day self-reported Tablets Routine Questionnaire (TRQ) validated by electronic pillbox monitoring (SimpleMed). Symptom measures included the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) and Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS).

RESULTS

The mean sample age (N = 36) was 19.1 years (SD = 2.0); 66.7% (N = 24) female, BD Type I (81%). The mean missed medication on TRQ for the total sample was 35.4% (SD = 28.8) at screening and 30.4% (SD = 30.5) at baseline. Both CAE-AYA and ETAU improved on TRQ from screening to baseline. Baseline mean missed medication using SimpleMed was 51.6% (SD = 38.5). Baseline HAM-D and YMRS means were 7.1 (SD = 4.7) and 6.0 (SD = 7.3), respectively. Attrition rate at week 24 was 36%. Baseline to 24-week change on TRQ, adjusting for age, gender, educational level, living situation, family history, race, and ethnicity, showed improvement favoring CAE-AYA versus ETAU of 15%. SimpleMed interpretation was limited due to substantial missing data. There was a significant reduction in depression favoring CAE-AYA.

CONCLUSIONS

CAE-AYA may improve adherence in AYAs with BD, although conclusions need to be made cautiously given study limitations.

CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04348604.

The concept of treatment beliefs in children and adolescents with chronic health conditions: a scoping review

Children and adolescents with chronic health conditions are faced with ongoing challenges, making self-regulation crucial. As children grow up, they gradually develop differentiated beliefs about illness and treatment. While research indicates treatment beliefs as relevant factor on outcomes like adherence, the specific contents and dimensions of children's and adolescents' treatment beliefs remained unclear. This scoping review therefore aimed at the identification of treatment beliefs dimensions in children and adolescents with chronic health conditions, the underlying theoretical frameworks, and methodological operationalisation. Published literature was examined by applying systematic searches in electronic databases (Medline, PsycINFO, CINAHL) and comprehensive selection criteria, resulting in 49 included studies. The predominant treatment beliefs dimensions were necessity, concerns, perceived benefits and costs/barriers, and expectations. The latter can be differentiated into outcome, social, process, and structural expectations, and expectations of one's own role in the treatment process. In addition, dimensions that cover emotions and reasons for treatment were identified. The results are related to the methods and theoretical models applied, which were often adapted from adult research. However, additional and possibly more child-specific dimensions such as social expectations and emotions were found. This scoping review indicates several research gaps and discusses practical implications.

Adherence Challenges and Strategies in Specific Groups With Asthma: Adolescents, Pregnancy, Older Adults

Poor adherence to controller therapies is a universal challenge to asthma control. Several high-risk groups, including adolescents, pregnant women, and older adults, have their own unique challenges to adherence. The rates of asthma controller therapy use are low in each of these populations, but secondary to different causes. Adolescents have increased independence and a transition to new self-management responsibilities; pregnant women may be concerned about adverse effects of medications to the fetus; and older adults may have age-related physical and cognitive challenges to effectively taking medication. Only by understanding the nuances of care in these populations can health care professionals develop strategies to address barriers to adherence. Tailored education focused on empowering patients and dispelling misconceptions can serve as tools to improve adherence and ultimately asthma control.

Lower opportunity ZIP code is associated with worse outcomes after listing in pediatric heart transplantation

BACKGROUND

The Child Opportunity Index (COI) comprehensively measures children's social determinants of health. We describe association between COI and outcomes after listing for heart transplantation.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective review of the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) database for U.S. children listed for heart transplant between 2012 and 2020. ZIP codes were utilized to assign COI. Primary outcome was survival from time of listing. Secondary outcomes included waitlist survival, 1-year post-transplant survival, and conditional 1-year post-transplant survival. Cox regression was performed adjusting for payor, age, race, diagnosis, and support at listing for all outcomes except waitlist survival, for which Fine-Gray competing risk analysis was performed.

RESULTS

Of 5,723 children listed, 109 were excluded due to missing ZIP codes. Race/ethnicity and payor were associated with COI (p < 0.001). Patients living in very low COI ZIP codes compared to all others had increased mortality from time of listing (HR 1.16, CI 1.03-1.32, p = 0.02) with 1-, 5-, and 9-year survival of 79.3% vs 82.2%, 66.5% vs 73.0%, and 53.6% vs 64.7% respectively, were more likely to be removed from the waitlist due to death or being too sick (subdistribution HR 1.26, 95% CI 1.10-1.42), and had increased mortality conditional on one-year post-transplant survival (HR 1.38, 1.09-1.74, p = 0.008) with 1-, 3-, and 5- year survival of 94.7% vs 97.3%, 87.0% vs 93.1%, and 78.6% vs 86.9%.

CONCLUSIONS

Children living in lower opportunity ZIP codes had poorer survival from time of listing, poorer waitlist survival, and poorer conditional one-year post-transplant survival.

Activating Adolescent and Young Adult Involvement with Cancer Care Responsibilities: A Dyadic Qualitative Study with Caregivers

Purpose: Empowering adolescents and young adult (AYA) patients to be involved in cancer responsibilities (e.g., remembering medications), as opposed to solely relying on caregivers, may have important short- and long-term benefits for development and disease management. This study explored perceptions of AYA engagement with cancer-related responsibilities and plans for transferring these responsibilities from caregivers to AYAs. Methods: A total of 30 AYA-caregiver dyads (including 11 early adolescents, 10 adolescents, and 9 young adults who were receiving chemotherapy and/or radiation) jointly completed a semi-structured interview. Interviews assessed the present allocation of cancer responsibilities within the family, how cancer responsibilities were divided this way, and prompted a dyadic discussion to draft a plan to transfer a responsibility to the AYA in the future. Directed content analysis techniques were used to identify and organize relevant themes. Results: Themes showed that (1) cancer responsibilities were initially assumed "naturally" by caregivers, without much formal discussion; (2) greater AYA involvement in cancer care reflected AYA (e.g., age, willingness) and caregiver factors (e.g., knowledge/skills, anxiety); (3) over time, dyads mutually prioritized AYA engagement with cancer care; and (4) the need for more proactive clinical support with transferring care tasks to AYAs. Discussion: Caregivers play a key role in managing cancer care with or for AYAs, with the allocation of these responsibilities being influenced by several factors that can shift over time. Dyads typically viewed the transfer process as important but desired more clinical support. This reflects a potential self-management care gap to address in future studies and dyadic interventions.

Disparities in adolescent controller medication adherence, treatment barriers, and asthma control

BACKGROUND

Disparities in asthma persist despite advances in interventions. Adherence and self-management behaviors are critical yet challenging during adolescence. Treatment barriers include individual factors as well as structural and social determinants of health.

OBJECTIVE

To determine differences in controller medication adherence, asthma control, and treatment barriers by race, income, and insurance and whether racial disparities persist when controlling for income and insurance. Associations between adherence, barriers, and control were also examined.

METHODS

Adolescents completed measures of treatment barriers and asthma control. Controller medication adherence was measured electronically. Descriptive statistics, means comparisons, and analyses of covariance were conducted.

RESULTS

One hundred twenty-five adolescents participated (Mage = 14.55, SD = 2.01, 37.6% Black or African American, 55.2% White). Black or African American adolescents had significantly lower adherence than White adolescents, t(105) = 2.79, p = .006, Cohen's d = .55. This difference was not significant when controlling for income and insurance (p > .05). There was a significant difference in asthma control, F(1,86) = 4.07, p = .047, ηp 2 = .045, where Black or African American adolescents had better asthma control scores than White adolescents. Feeling tired of living with asthma was the most common barrier among all adolescents (62.4%). More Black or African American adolescents endorsed difficulty getting to the pharmacy than White adolescents, X2 (1, N = 116) = 4.86, p = .027.

CONCLUSIONS

Racial disparities in asthma may be partially driven by income, insurance, and pharmacy access. Asthma burnout may be important to address for all adolescents with asthma.

The rehabilitation treatment beliefs questionnaire-revised: assessing adolescents' treatment beliefs

OBJECTIVE

While there are several studies on children's and adolescents' beliefs about illness and medication treatment, there is limited research on their treatment beliefs in the context of rehabilitation. The Rehabilitation Treatment Beliefs Questionnaire (RTBQ) was the first instrument available to assess pediatric patients' rehabilitation-related treatment beliefs. However, the RTBQ had some limitations that we aimed to address in this study: We revised the content of the RTBQ to include previously unaddressed dimensions of rehabilitation-related treatment beliefs, and we thoroughly tested its psychometric properties based on a sizeable, multicenter sample of adolescents with different chronic diseases.

METHODS

Across 11 pediatric rehabilitation clinics throughout Germany, eligible patients aged 12-18 years with any chronic physical or mental health condition were invited to participate in an online survey. Psychometric evaluation included item analysis, exploratory factor analysis, internal consistency and construct validity.

RESULTS

The sample comprised N = 294 adolescents (M = 14.2 years) with various chronic conditions. Psychometric testing demonstrated a coherent factor structure with 6 interpretable scales covering process and outcome expectations, expectations of one's own role in the treatment process, structural expectations, concerns, and emotions, the latter three representing previously unaddressed dimensions of rehabilitation-related treatment beliefs. Internal consistency was acceptable to good. Construct validity analyses showed mostly hypotheses-consistent correlations with related constructs.

CONCLUSIONS

The revised RTBQ provides a psychometrically well-tested, adolescent-specific, and disease-generic instrument that captures multiple dimensions of rehabilitation-related treatment beliefs. Practical implications include identifying adolescents' beliefs about rehabilitation treatment in order to actively involve them in their illness management.

Growth of condition-related knowledge among youth with spina bifida: associations with neurocognitive functioning and self-management skills

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to characterize the growth in condition-related knowledge in youth with spina bifida (SB), identify neurocognitive predictors of growth, and examine associations between growth in knowledge and subsequent levels of medical self-management skills.

METHODS

Participants were recruited from a larger longitudinal study involving 140 youth with SB and caregivers, who completed questionnaires and interviews every 2 years over 8 years. The current study included the youth report of condition-related knowledge and medical self-management skills. Youth attention and executive functioning were assessed via parent and teacher reports and performance-based assessment. Latent growth curves were conducted in Mplus Version 8 (Múthen, L. K., & Múthen, B. O. [1998]. Mplus User's Guide. [Eighth]. Muthén & Muthén) to examine change over time in youth-reported condition-related knowledge. Neurocognitive variables were included as predictors of growth in knowledge and regression analyses were used to predict medical self-management skills from growth in condition-related knowledge.

RESULTS

Youth condition-related knowledge increased linearly. Better youth performance on working memory and attention performance-based tasks predicted a higher intercept for condition-related knowledge at T1, but not slope. Teacher and parent reports of inattention and executive dysfunction were not consistent predictors of intercept and growth. Slope of condition-related knowledge was not predictive of subsequent youth self-management skills.

CONCLUSIONS

Youth with SB gain condition-related knowledge over time. However, executive dysfunction and inattention may impede gains in condition-related knowledge. Thus, executive functioning supports, attention-related interventions, and psychoeducation may support condition-related knowledge gains and later medical self-management skills, but further research assessing family and cultural factors is needed.

Giving adolescents with cystic fibrosis a voice: Predicting cystic fibrosis nutritional adherence from their decision-making involvement

OBJECTIVE

Suboptimal nutritional adherence in adolescents with cystic fibrosis (awCF) has been associated with lower lung function. AwCF often have more independence in dietary decisions than younger children, yet little research has examined how adolescent decision-making relates to nutritional adherence. This study explored whether components of adolescent decision-making involvement facilitate enzyme and caloric adherence in awCF.

METHODS

37 families participated and completed study procedures. AwCF and caregivers completed electronic surveys, including the Decision-Making Involvement Scale (DMIS). The DMIS evaluated awCF behaviors during nutrition-related decision-making/discussions with caregivers using DMIS subscales: Child Seek (asking for help/advice from caregivers), Child Express (awCF stating opinions) and Joint/Options (awCF participating in joint decision-making or caregiver providing options). AwCF completed 2, 24-hr diet recalls via videoconferencing/phone to estimate adherence. Chart reviews collected medical information. DMIS subscales were regressed onto enzyme and caloric adherence.

RESULTS

43% of awCF met calorie recommendations; 48.6% took all enzymes as prescribed. Caloric adherence was positively correlated with adolescent- and parent-reported Child Seek (r = 0.53; r = 0.36) and adolescent-reported Joint/Options (r = 0.41). Per adolescent-report, the caloric adherence regression model was significant, with Child Seek contributing unique variance in caloric adherence (β = .62, p = .03). Parent-reported adolescent-decision-making involvement significantly predicted caloric adherence, but none of the subscales contributed unique variance. No other regressions were significant.

CONCLUSIONS

When awCF participated in nutrition-related discussions with a caregiver, especially with questions, caloric adherence was better. Future research should examine whether family factors influence these results. AwCF are encouraged to ask questions in nutrition discussions.

The influence of neighborhood income on healthcare utilization in pediatric liver transplant

OBJECTIVES

Neighborhood contextual factors are associated with liver transplant outcomes. We analyzed associations between neighborhood-level socioeconomic status and healthcare utilization for pediatric liver transplant recipients.

METHODS

We merged the Pediatric Health Information System and Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients databases and included liver transplant recipients ≤21 years hospitalized between January 2004 and May 2022. Outcomes were annual inpatient bed-days, risk of hospitalizations, and risk of liver biopsies. The primary exposure was zip code-based neighborhood income at transplant. We applied causal inference for variable selection in multivariable analysis. We modeled annual inpatient bed-days with mixed-effect zero-inflated Poisson regression, and rates of hospitalization and liver biopsy with a Cox-type proportional rate model.

RESULTS

We included 1006 participants from 29 institutions. Children from low-income neighborhoods were more likely to be publicly insured (67% vs. 46%), Black (20% vs. 12%), Hispanic (30% vs. 17%), and have higher model for end-stage liver disease/pediatric end-stage liver disease model scores at transplant (17 vs. 13) than the remaining cohort. We found no differences in inpatient bed-days or rates of hospitalization across neighborhood groups. In univariable analysis, low-income neighborhoods were associated with increased rates of liver biopsy (rate ratio [RR]: 1.57, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.04-2.34, p = 0.03). These findings persisted after adjusting for insurance, race, and ethnicity (RR: 1.86, 95% CI: 1.23-2.83, p < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Children from low-income neighborhoods undergo more liver biopsies than other children. These procedures are invasive and potentially preventable. In addition to improving outcomes, interventions to mitigate health inequities among liver transplant recipients may reduce resource utilization.

Evaluation, analysis, and reporting of medication adherence for clinical trials of anticoagulants in children: guidance from the ISTH SSC Subcommittee on Pediatric and Neonatal Thrombosis and Hemostasis

In response to growing recognition that nonadherence prevents children, adolescents, and young adults from achieving the therapeutic benefits of anticoagulant medication, the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis Scientific and Standardization Committee Subcommittee on Pediatric and Neonatal Thrombosis and Hemostasis convened a working party on medication adherence. The primary aim of this article was to synthesize recommendations from the larger adherence science literature to provide guidance regarding the classification, collection, and interpretation of anticoagulation adherence data. The secondary aim of this article was to evaluate the degree to which trials published from 2013 to 2023 adhered to these guidance recommendations. As less than half of all trials reported on adherence and none included all recommended elements, the proposed International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis Scientific and Standardization Committee guidance has the potential to enhance the rigor and reproducibility of pediatric anticoagulant research.

Caregivers' and providers' perspectives of social and medical care after pediatric liver transplant: Results from the multicenter SOCIAL-Tx study

Disparities exist in pediatric liver transplant (LT). We characterized barriers and facilitators to providing transplant and social care within pediatric LT clinics. This was a multicenter qualitative study. We oversampled caregivers reporting household financial strain, material economic hardship, or demonstrating poor health literacy. We also enrolled transplant team members. We conducted semistructured interviews with participants. Caregiver interviews focused on challenges addressing transplant and household needs. Transplant provider interviews focused on barriers and facilitators to providing social care within transplant teams. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and coded according to the Capability, Opportunity, Motivation-Behavior model. We interviewed 27 caregivers and 27 transplant team members. Fifty-two percent of caregivers reported a household income <$60,000, and 62% reported financial resource strain. Caregivers reported experiencing (1) high financial burdens after LT, (2) added caregiving labor that compounds the financial burden, (3) dependency on their social network's generosity for financial and logistical support, and (4) additional support being limited to the perioperative period. Transplant providers reported (1) relying on the pretransplant psychosocial assessment for identifying social risks, (2) discomfort initiating social risk discussions in the post-transplant period, (3) reliance on social workers to address new social risks, and (4) social workers feeling overburdened by quantity and quality of the social work referrals. We identified barriers to providing effective social care in pediatric LT, primarily a lack of comfort in assessing and addressing new social risks in the post-transplant period. Addressing these barriers should enhance social care delivery and improve outcomes for these children.

Latent class analysis of ART barriers among adolescents and young adults living with HIV in South Africa

This study examined adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) among adolescents and young adults living with HIV in South Africa. Using survey data from 857 youth on ART, the study employed latent class analysis to identify subgroups based on self-reported reasons for missed ART doses. Three distinct classes emerged: the largest class (85%) occasionally forgot to take their medication or missed a dose because others were around, the second class (9%) missed doses only due to feeling sick, and the third class (6%) faced multiple barriers such as forgetting, feeling sick, worrying about side effects, or doubting the effectiveness of ART. Youth who reported multiple barriers to adherence had significantly lower adjusted odds (AOR = 0.35, 95% CI = 0.16-0.78) of reporting 90% past month adherence compared to those who occasionally forgot their medication. Additionally, contextual factors such as food security, being treated well at the clinic, and being accompanied to the clinic were associated with higher odds of adherence. The findings highlight the importance of considering co-occurring barriers to adherence and tailoring interventions accordingly. Addressing contextual factors, such as ensuring food security and providing supportive clinic environments, is also crucial for promoting optimal adherence among adolescents and young adults living with HIV.

Systematic review and meta-analysis of interventions to promote medication adherence among children, adolescents, and young adults with medical conditions

OBJECTIVE

This meta-analysis examined the efficacy of adherence-promotion interventions for children, adolescents, and young adults prescribed a medication for > 90 days as part of a treatment regimen for a medical condition.

METHODS

A systematic literature review was conducted to identify randomized controlled trials of adherence-promotion interventions published between 2013 and 2023 and including children, adolescents, and/or young adults with a medical condition. A total of 38 articles representing 39 trials met inclusion criteria. A narrative synthesis was conducted to summarize included trials and a random-effects model was used to compute an overall intervention effect. Effect sizes by adherence outcome assessment methodology, participant age, and technology use were also computed.

RESULTS

Pediatric adherence-promotion interventions demonstrate a medium effect with those randomized to an intervention displaying greater improvements in medication adherence than those randomized to a comparator condition (SMD = 0.46, 95% CI: 0.31, 0.60, n = 37; 95% Prediction Interval: -0.32, 1.23).

CONCLUSIONS

Adherence interventions for children, adolescents, and young adults with medical conditions increase adherence.

Factors Associated With Adherence to a Low Fermentable Carbohydrate Diet in Children With Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders

BACKGROUND

The low-fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols (FODMAP) diet (LFD) has been associated with reduced symptomology in pediatric functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs). The LFD is a complex dietary intervention that may be difficult to follow; thus, there is great interest in determining factors that contribute to adherence.

OBJECTIVE

To examine whether baseline abdominal pain, emotional/behavioral problems, or quality of life predict adherence to the LFD in children with FGIDs.

DESIGN

This was a single-group pre-post intervention design within a larger randomized controlled trial.

PARTICIPANTS/SETTING

Thirty 7- to 12-year-old children with FGIDs were recruited from pediatric gastrointestinal and primary care settings throughout Texas from 2019 to 2021. Evaluated participants were randomized to an LFD intervention as part of a larger randomized controlled trial.

INTERVENTION

Participants received dietary counseling and followed the LFD for 3 weeks.

MEASURES

Emotional or behavioral problems and quality of life were obtained via parent report, and abdominal pain was measured via child report. Adherence was assessed by using diet records and computed by a decrease in consumption of overall FODMAP intake.

STATISTICAL ANALYSES PERFORMED

A hierarchical generalized linear mixed regression model examined factors associated with adherence.

RESULTS

Greater baseline quality of life was associated with better adherence to the LFD (beta coefficient β = -.02, P = 0.03), and baseline emotional/behavioral problems and abdominal pain complaints were not significantly associated with adherence (all Ps > 0.28).

CONCLUSIONS

Higher child quality of life as reported by parents was related to increased adherence to this complex dietary intervention.

Friends, Family, and Food: Development of a Food Allergy Intervention, F3-App, for Children

Objective

Despite a marked increase in the prevalence of pediatric IgE-mediated food allergy (FA) in recent decades, there is a dearth of age-appropriate management education and support tools for youth with FA. The purpose of this report is to detail our methods for intervention design and refinement of an interactive educational software program for school-aged children with FA.

Methods

Development of the "Friends, Family and Food Application (F3-App)" employed an iterative, user-centered design approach with input from children with FA, their caregivers, and other key experts. Phase 1 (Prototype Development/Pilot Evaluation) involved family input on key themes and educational messages, development of a prototype, and pilot testing. Phase 2 (Full F3-App Development/Open Trial) included refinement and expansion of the prototype per advisory panel and end-user recommendations, followed by an open trial with additional iterative refinement.

Results

Acceptability and credibility of the F3-App were rated highly by most participants. Relatively few technical challenges arose with F3-App installation or use. Follow up interviews with children and caregivers suggested that the F3-App was generally well-received, families found the content useful, and that it prompted family discussion about the child's FA management.

Conclusions

User input is critical to developing family-friendly software to support management of pediatric chronic conditions. Interactive educational software can be a useful channel for children to practice skills and build confidence in disease self-management and to facilitate family communication regarding the stresses of FA management.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT05111938.

Pediatric to Adult Transition in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Consensus Guidelines for Australia and New Zealand

BACKGROUND

The incidence of pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is rising, and there is an increasing need to support adolescents when they transition to adult care. Evidence supports the use of a structured transition process but there is great variation across Australasia. The study aim was to develop evidence and expert opinion-based consensus statements to guide transitional care services in IBD.

METHODS

A modified UCLA-RAND methodology was employed to develop consensus statements. An IBD expert steering committee was formed and a systematic literature review was conducted to guide the drafting of consensus statements. A multidisciplinary group was formed comprising 16 participants (clinicians, nurses, surgeons, psychologists), who anonymously voted on the appropriateness and necessity of the consensus statements using Likert scales (1 = lowest, 9 = highest) with a median ≥7 required for inclusion. Patient support groups, including direct input from young people with IBD, informed the final recommendations.

RESULTS

Fourteen consensus statements were devised with key recommendations including use of a structured transition program and transition coordinator, mental health and transition readiness assessment, key adolescent discussion topics, allied health involvement, age for transition, and recommendations for clinical communication and handover, with individualized patient considerations. Each statement reached median ≥8 for appropriateness, and ≥7 for necessity, in the first voting round, and the results were discussed in an online meeting to refine statements.

CONCLUSIONS

A multidisciplinary group devised consensus statements to optimize pediatric to adult transitional care for adolescents with IBD. These guidelines should support improved and standardized delivery of IBD transitional care within Australasia.

Pediatrician perspectives on barriers and facilitators to discharge instruction comprehension and adherence for parents of children with medical complexity

BACKGROUND

High rates of posthospitalization errors are observed in children with medical complexity (CMC). Poor parent comprehension of and adherence to complex discharge instructions can contribute to errors. Pediatrician views on common barriers and facilitators to parent comprehension and adherence are understudied.

OBJECTIVE

To examine pediatrician perspectives on barriers and facilitators experienced by parents in comprehension of and adherence to inpatient discharge instructions for CMC.

DESIGN, SETTINGS, AND PARTICIPANTS

We conducted a qualitative, descriptive study of attending pediatricians (n = 20) caring for CMC in inpatient settings (United States and Canada) and belonging to listservs for pediatric hospitalists/complex care providers. We used purposive/maximum variation sampling to ensure heterogeneity (e.g., hospital, region).

MAIN OUTCOME AND MEASURES

A multidisciplinary team designed and piloted a semistructured interview guide with pediatricians who care for CMC. Team members conducted semistructured interviews via phone or video call. Interviews were audiorecorded and transcribed. We analyzed transcripts using content analysis; codes were derived a priori from a conceptual framework (based on the Pediatric Self-Management Model) and a preliminary transcript analysis. We applied codes and identified emerging themes.

RESULTS

Pediatricians identified three themes as barriers and facilitators to discharge instruction comprehension and adherence: (1) regimen complexity, (2) access to the healthcare team (e.g., inpatient team, outpatient pediatrician, home nursing) and resources (e.g., medications, medical equipment), and (3) need for a family centered and health literacy-informed approach to discharge planning and education. Next steps include the assessment of parent perspectives on barriers and facilitators to discharge instruction comprehension and adherence for prents of CMC and the development of intervention strategies.

School Nurses Practices Promoting Self-Management and Healthcare Transition Skills for Adolescents with Chronic Conditions in Urban Public Schools: A Mixed Methods Study

Background: Adolescents and young adults (AYA) with chronic conditions should acquire self-management skills as part of their healthcare transition (HCT) from pediatric to adult-focused care. HCT/self-management skills have the potential to help mitigate health disparities among minority AYA with chronic conditions. This study investigated school nurses' practices promoting HCT/self-management skills in urban public schools. Methods: Seventy-nine nurses from three urban school districts in Massachusetts completed a survey of 32 Likert-type questions on HCT/self-management skills, eight demographic questions, and five open-ended practice questions assessing how often they have asked students with chronic conditions about HCT/self-management skills, based on the UNC TRxANSITION IndexTM. Results: Among the 79 school nurses who participated (response rate 76%), 67% never or rarely assessed students' knowledge of HCT/self-management, and 90% would use a tool that promotes/measures HCT/self-management skills. Conclusion: In our study sample, most school nurses acknowledged the importance of assessing HCT/self-management skills. The majority favored using a tool to promote these skills.

Feasibility pilot trial of a tailored medication adherence-promotion intervention for adolescents and young adults with cancer: Study design and protocol

BACKGROUND

Medication non-adherence is common among adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with cancer and associated with poor health outcomes. AYAs with cancer endorse multiple barriers to adherence that differ across individuals, suggesting that tailoring intervention content to an AYA's specific barriers may have the potential to improve adherence. The purpose of this manuscript is to report on ORBIT-guided Phase I design efforts to create the first tailored adherence-promotion intervention for AYAs with cancer and the study protocol for the ongoing Phase II pilot feasibility trial.

METHODS

Phase I design included qualitative interviews (n = 15 AYAs) to understand patient preferences for adherence-promotion care, development and refinement of a best-worst scaling exercise barriers tool (n = 5 AYAs), and development of intervention modules and a tailoring algorithm. In the ongoing Phase II pilot feasibility trial, AYAs (ages 15-24 years) with cancer currently taking oral chemotherapy or prophylactic medication will be recruited from three children's hospitals. Feasibility, acceptability, and usability will be assessed and these outcomes along with data on medication adherence will be used to inform the next phases of intervention development and testing.

CONCLUSIONS

If promising, this program of research ultimately has the potential to equip clinicians with additional strategies for supporting adherence among AYAs with cancer. NCT05706610.

The comparative study of chronically ill and healthy children and adolescents in the light of their general mental health

Children's hospitalisation is difficult for the family and the immediate environment. In these cases, the provision of psychological support is particularly important. Chronically ill children who are regularly hospitalised are in a particularly difficult situation, often feeling vulnerable. Our research aims to explore and analyse in detail the psychological state, attitudes and mental health of chronically ill children and to compare patient groups (children receiving care in pulmonology, gastroenterology, onco-haematology and rehabilitation) to understand the interacting factors, which may be of great importance for quality patient care and for measures to improve patient care in the future. We studied chronically ill children (N = 107) aged 10 to 18 years (M = 14.3; SD = 2.0), cared for by the Department of Paediatric Rehabilitation, Paediatric Psychiatry and Psychosomatics of the University of Debrecen Clinical Centre, the second largest paediatric institution in Hungary. In our survey, sociodemographic questions, the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, the Satisfaction With Life Scale, the Cantril Ladder, the Non-Productive Thoughts Questionnaire, the Problematic Internet Use Questionnaire, the Drawing version of Pictorial Representation of Illness Self-Measure (PRISM-D), the Beck Depression Inventory-Shortened Scale, the Illness Intrusiveness Ratings Scale, the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Questionnaire-Child Version and the Strength and Difficulty Questionnaire were applied. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to examine differences between groups, and Pearson rank correlation analysis was used to measure the relationships between individual variables. The results show significant differences between patient groups in terms of resilience, depression, nonproductive thoughts, problematic internet use, anxiety and coping, but no consistent pattern in the development of scores. In addition, for some psychological correlates, the role of sociodemographic background also showed significant results. The practical utility of our study is that using questionnaire methods to map patient satisfaction, compliance, and patient attitudes will provide regarding the factors that influence the mental health status of children living with chronic illnesses. In the light of this, additional methods and tools can be included to improve the quality of healthcare and to develop a set of procedures that will serve the intended purpose.

Self-Control in Pediatric Migraine Management: A Topical Review

OBJECTIVE

This review examines the role that two types of self-control may play in youth's self-management of migraine. Although traditionally conceptualized from an inhibitory lens, self-control has both initiatory and inhibitory functions, and the authors suggest the distinction is important in relation to youth's ability to adhere to different components of migraine treatment regimens.

METHODS

A topical review of the literature was conducted to identify evidence-based interventions to treat pediatric migraine and conceptualize the role self-control (both initiatory and inhibitory) may play in adherence to its regimen. Both PsycInfo and PubMed databases were used to identify relevant articles.

RESULTS

Existing evidence-based interventions and recommendations for pediatric migraine require inhibitory self-control (e.g., avoiding caffeine, tobacco) and initiatory self-control (e.g., taking medication). Formal intervention programs (e.g., cognitive behavioral therapy) tend to employ initiatory self-control (e.g., modifying physical reactions in response to biofeedback).

CONCLUSIONS

Understanding the distinct types of self-control required for adherence to different interventions allows for a better conceptualization of self-management of pediatric migraine. Individuals may struggle with adherence when they have deficits in one or both types of self-control skills. Future research should consider whether self-control is associated with differential adherence patterns in pediatric migraine management.

Recruitment Barriers of an mHealth Pediatric Asthma Pilot Study

Successful participant recruitment for pediatric studies can be challenging and even result in study discontinuation. In conducting a 2-year pilot study for a pediatric mobile health (mHealth) asthma intervention, a group of researchers experienced multiple barriers and failures in all 4 areas of recruitment: generating initial contacts, screening, consenting, and enrollment and retention. The main failures that resulted in minimal participant enrollment were poor participation, communication issues, and difficulties related to recruiting in an emergency department during a pandemic. The following is a report on this study's recruitment efforts, including preliminary and adapted strategies, the results of these strategies, and considerations for researchers who conduct studies with children. The research team concluded that frequent and clear communication, flexibility, and a willingness to alter initial recruitment plans are essential elements for recruitment success in pediatric studies.

The development and validation of the S-scan-parental self-management support (S-scan - PS): A self-reflection tool for child healthcare professionals

BACKGROUND

Professionals providing self-management support to parents regarding the care for their child with a chronic condition nowadays is an important aspect of child healthcare. This requires professionals to orient themselves towards partnership and collaboration with parents. The aims of the current study were the development and validation of the S-Scan-Parental self-management Support (S-scan - PS) as a tool for healthcare professionals to reflect on their attitude and practices regarding the support for parental self-management.

METHODS

An existing instrument was adapted together with field experts for professionals to self-evaluate their support for self-management of parents. The resulting 36-item self-report questionnaire was filled in by healthcare professionals in the Netherlands working with children and their parents. Cognitive interviews, exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and test-retest reliability analysis were part of the development and validation process.

RESULTS

In total, 434 professionals, including physicians, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and nurses, from 13 rehabilitation institutes and 5 medical centres participated. The cognitive interviews with child healthcare professionals indicated adequate face and content validity. The S-scan - PS scale had acceptable internal consistency (0.71 ≤ α ≤ 0.91) for the total score as well as the domain scores. CFA showed acceptable root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) model fit (0.066), though not on other tested goodness-of-fit indices. Test-retest reliability of the instrument was moderate with an average intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) = 0.61.

CONCLUSIONS

The S-scan - PS fulfils important psychometric criteria for use by child healthcare professionals to reflect on parental self-management support. Such self-reflection might help to improve their approach towards supporting self-management of parents in the care for their child with a chronic condition. Further research is needed into the construct validity and test-retest reliability of the instrument.

Digital Technology Characteristics and Literacy Among Families With Children With Asthma: Cross-Sectional Study

Background

The use of digital technology in pediatric asthma management has emerged as a potential tool for improving asthma management. However, the use of digital tools has the potential to contribute to the inequitable delivery of asthma care because of existing social factors associated with asthma disparities. Our study focused on parents' chosen language and sociodemographic factors that might shape the use of digital technology in asthma self-management.

Objective

This study aims to estimate and compare patient, family, and technology-related characteristics by parents' chosen language (English or Spanish) and compare a digital literacy measure by sociodemographic factors.

Methods

Survey data were collected from July to December 2021 from parents of children with asthma who were seen by a Chicago pediatric health system pulmonary provider. Questions assessed patient and family characteristics, digital technology use, and digital literacy, measured using the validated eHealth Literacy Scale (eHEALS). Chi-square tests and multivariable logistic regression were used for comparisons, and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used for comparing median eHEALS scores by social characteristics.

Results

Of the 197 parents surveyed, 24.4% (n=49) of parents identified as a race categorized as other, 37.1% (n=67) as White, and 38.6% (n=75) as Black; 47.2% (n=93) identified as Hispanic/Latino/Latina. Additionally, 79.7% (n=157) of parents preferred English, and 20.3% (n=40) preferred Spanish. English-speaking parents were more likely to report having a data plan for their smartphone (117/157, 74.5%) or high-speed internet (138/157, 87.9%) compared to Spanish-speaking parents (smartphone: 23/40, 58%; P=.03; internet: 27/40, 68%; P=.002). Compared with Spanish-speaking parents, English-speaking parents were less likely to report having a lot or some concern about paying for internet (28/40, 70% vs 83/157, 52.9%; P=.046) or about data privacy (35/40, 88% vs 105/157, 67.5%; P=.01). Digital literacy scores differed significantly by race, income, education level, and language. In a multivariable model, language was not a significant factor for having high-speed internet service (P=.12) or concern about paying for internet at home (P=.60), but it was a significant factor for concerns about data privacy (P=.04).

Conclusions

The significant differences in technology-related characteristics suggest that digital connectivity, affordability, and data privacy may also be important factors in considering digital technology use in asthma care.

Establishing the Need for Anticipatory Symptom Guidance and Networked Models of Disease in Adaptive Family Management Among Children With Medical Complexity: Qualitative Study

BACKGROUND

Caregivers of children with medical complexity navigate complex family management tasks for their child both in the hospital and home-based setting. The roles and relationships of members of their social network and the dynamic evolution of these family management tasks have been underexamined.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to explore the structures and processes of family management among caregivers of children with medical complexity, with a focus on the underlying dynamic nature of family management practices and the role of members of their social network.

METHODS

This study used a qualitative approach to interview caregivers of children with medical complexity and members of their social network. Caregivers of children with medical complexity were recruited through an academic Children's Hospital Complex Care Clinic in the mid-Atlantic region and interviewed over a period of 1 to 3 days. Responses were analyzed using constructivist grounded theory and situational analysis to construct a new conceptual model. Only caregiver responses are reported here.

RESULTS

In total, 20 caregivers were included in this analysis. Caregiver perspectives revealed the contextual processes that allowed for practices of family management within the setting of rapidly evolving symptoms and health concerns. The dynamic and adaptive nature of this process is a key underlying action supporting this novel conceptual model. The central themes underpinning the adaptive family management model include symptom cues, ongoing surveillance, information gathering, and acute on chronic health concerns. The model also highlights facilitators and threats to successful family management among children with medical complexity and the networked relationship among the structures and processes.

CONCLUSIONS

The adaptive family management model provides a basis for further quantitative operationalization and study. Previously described self- or family management frameworks do not account for the underlying dynamic nature of the disease trajectory and the developmental stage progression of the child or adolescent, and our work extends existing work. For future work, there is a defined role for technology-enhanced personalized approaches to home-based monitoring. Due to the disparities caregivers and the children in this population already experience, technology-enhanced approaches must be built alongside key stakeholders with an equity orientation to technology co-development.

INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID)

RR2-10.2196/14810.

Grit and Health-Related Quality of Life in Adolescents and Young Adults with Cancer: Mediating Role of Health Self-Efficacy and Treatment Adherence

OBJECTIVE

Challenges with health-related quality of life (HRQOL) are common among adolescents and young adults (AYA) with cancer. Literature on HRQOL has largely been focused on individual deficits, rather than individual strengths. The present study investigated the relations between a strengths-based concept called grit (i.e., perseverance and passion for long-term goals), self-management (i.e., health self-efficacy and adherence), and HRQOL among AYA with cancer.

METHODS

Sixty-seven AYA receiving cancer treatment (Mage=17.1; 50.7% female; 25.4% Black, Hispanic, Asian, or a race other than white) and their caregivers (73.0% mothers) completed a semistructured, validated interview about adherence. AYA also completed self-report questionnaires about perceptions of their grit, health self-efficacy, and HRQOL.

RESULTS

After controlling for sex, health self-efficacy (i.e., a cognitive self-management variable) mediated the relation between grit and HRQOL (95% confidence interval = .74-6.52). When testing adherence to medications, diet, or physical activity as mediators of the relation between grit and HRQOL, mediation models were non-significant.

CONCLUSIONS

Among AYA with cancer, this study identified grit as an individual strength associated with more positive self-management beliefs, which in turn, related to better HRQOL. This adds to a growing body of literature supporting the need for resiliency-oriented, strengths-based approaches to AYA HRQOL research. Future directions include exploring the role of caregiver grit in relation to AYA cancer self-management, given that caregivers have demonstrated a high degree of involvement in AYA cancer care.

Management of Discharge Instructions for Children With Medical Complexity: A Systematic Review

CONTEXT

Children with medical complexity (CMC) are at risk for adverse outcomes after discharge. Difficulties with comprehension of and adherence to discharge instructions contribute to these errors. Comprehensive reviews of patient-, caregiver-, provider-, and system-level characteristics and interventions associated with discharge instruction comprehension and adherence for CMC are lacking.

OBJECTIVE

To systematically review the literature related to factors associated with comprehension of and adherence to discharge instructions for CMC.

DATA SOURCES

PubMed/Medline, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, PsycInfo, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Web of Science (database initiation until March 2023), and OAIster (gray literature) were searched.

STUDY SELECTION

Original studies examining caregiver comprehension of and adherence to discharge instructions for CMC (Patient Medical Complexity Algorithm) were evaluated.

DATA EXTRACTION

Two authors independently screened titles/abstracts and reviewed full-text articles. Two authors extracted data related to study characteristics, methodology, subjects, and results.

RESULTS

Fifty-one studies were included. More than half were qualitative or mixed methods studies. Few interventional studies examined objective outcomes. More than half of studies examined instructions for equipment (eg, tracheostomies). Common issues related to access, care coordination, and stress/anxiety. Facilitators included accounting for family context and using health literacy-informed strategies.

LIMITATIONS

No randomized trials met inclusion criteria. Several groups (eg, oncologic diagnoses, NICU patients) were not examined in this review.

CONCLUSIONS

Multiple factors affect comprehension of and adherence to discharge instructions for CMC. Several areas (eg, appointments, feeding tubes) were understudied. Future work should focus on design of interventions to optimize transitions.

A randomized clinical trial to support adherence regimens in children with epilepsy: Examining potential mechanisms of change

OBJECTIVE

A family-tailored education and problem-solving intervention, Supporting Treatment Adherence Regimens (STAR), was developed to address the adherence challenges common in youth with epilepsy and their families. Randomized clinical trial (RCT) results indicated a 21% adherence improvement in the STAR group compared with an education-only (EO) group 12-months post-intervention. The current study examined group differences (STAR vs. EO) in epilepsy-specific knowledge, barriers to medication adherence, problem-solving skills, caregiver emotional distress, and family functioning over time and whether these factors mediated group differences in adherence at 12-months post-intervention.

METHODS

Two-hundred children (ages 2-12) with epilepsy and their caregivers were included as RCT participants. Children with new-onset epilepsy and adherence <95% were randomized to receive either the STAR (n = 27) or EO (n = 29) intervention. Caregivers completed questionnaires assessing outcomes of interest at baseline, midpoint of the intervention, post-intervention, and 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-ups. Regression-based analyses of covariance and longitudinal mixed effect linear models were conducted.

RESULTS

Results generally revealed no significant group differences across outcomes of interest at post-intervention or over time. However, one significant model did emerge for social problem-solving skills (b = -1.74, p = 0.04), such that these scores were initially higher in the STAR group compared to the EO group, then decreased slightly in the STAR group over time while remaining stable in the EO group. None of these factors mediated group differences in adherence at 12-months post-intervention.

CONCLUSION

Future research should examine other potential mechanisms of treatment change after adherence interventions, such as STAR. Nonsignificant findings can inform the development of future study designs and intervention efforts.

Health Competence Beliefs and Health-Related Quality of Life Among Adolescent and Young Adult Survivors of Childhood Cancer and Healthy Peers

Purpose: Adolescent and young adult (AYA) survivors of childhood cancer are at risk for late-effects that can impact how one perceives their health and well-being. Understanding beliefs about health competence and well-being among survivors can help identify support needs and increase adherence to long-term follow-up guidelines. This study examined differences in health competence beliefs and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) between AYA survivors of childhood cancer and matched healthy peers. In addition, the relationship between health competence beliefs and HRQOL, as well as the moderating effect of cancer survivorship, was investigated. Methods: Survivors (n = 49) and healthy peers (n = 54) completed measures about health competence beliefs (i.e., Health Perception, Cognitive Competence, Autonomy, and School/Work Functioning) and HRQOL. Multiple group analysis was used to investigate differences in health competence beliefs and HRQOL between survivors and peers. Multivariate multiple regression analyses were used to investigate the relationships between health competence beliefs and HRQOL. Finally, a history of cancer was examined as a possible moderator using additional multivariate multiple regression analyses. Results: Survivors reported significantly lower Health Perception, Cognitive Competence, Autonomy, and School/Work Functioning scores compared to healthy peers. Among both groups, Health Perception and Cognitive Competence scores were associated with multiple domains of HRQOL. These relationships were not moderated by having a history of cancer. Conclusions: Perceptions about one's health and cognitive abilities may impact HRQOL among AYA survivors of childhood cancer and health peers. Identifying those at risk for poor well-being may help to guide interventions aimed at increasing adherence to medical recommendations.

Bidirectional processes linking social determinants of health and pediatric sickle cell anemia management: A qualitative study

BACKGROUND

Children with sickle cell anemia (SCA) have substantial medical needs and more unmet basic needs than children with other medical conditions. Despite a recent focus on social determinants of health (SDoH), there remains an incomplete understanding of the processes linking SDoH and disease management, particularly for youth with SCA. This study elucidated these processes and identified ways to mitigate deleterious effects of adverse SDoH on SCA management.

METHODS

Parents/primary caregivers (N = 27) of children with SCA (≤12 years old) participated in semi-structured interviews regarding SCA management and SDoH and completed quantitative measures of basic needs. Qualitative data were systematically coded and analyzed using applied thematic analysis. Quantitative data were presented descriptively.

RESULTS

Three qualitative themes were identified. First, SCA management is bidirectionally linked with the social environment, whereby challenges of SCA management can hinder basic needs from being met, and unmet basic needs and financial hardship hinder SCA management. Second, due to limited resources, parents/caregivers are faced with difficult choices between prioritizing basic needs versus SCA management. Third, addressing material, emotional, and informational needs may improve SCA management. Quantitatively, 73% of families endorsed ≥1 basic need, including food insecurity (42%), housing instability (62%), and/or energy insecurity 19% (vs. 20%).

CONCLUSION

Despite documented associations, there remains a poor understanding of the processes linking SDoH and health. Findings underscore how day-to-day conditions undermine the management of SCA treatments, symptoms, and complications, limiting treatment effectiveness. Understanding these processes may inform family-centered, health equity interventions and policies to improve living conditions, disease management, and health outcomes.

Optimizing the Transition and Transfer of Care in Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Health care transition from pediatric to adult care has been identified as a priority in the field of medicine, especially for those with chronic illnesses such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Although there is no universally accepted model of preparing the pediatric patient for transfer to adult care, transition care is best accomplished in a structured and consistent manner. The authors highlight concepts for optimizing the transition of care for patients with IBD, which include setting expectations throughout adolescence with the gradual nurturing of self-management skills, preparing and assessing of readiness for transfer, and enacting a successful transfer to adult care.

Physical Activity Engagement: Perspectives From Adolescents With Comorbid Asthma and Overweight/Obesity and Their Caregivers

OBJECTIVE

Most adolescents do not meet physical activity (PA) guidelines, and engagement rates are even lower among adolescents with asthma and overweight/obesity (OW/OB). Understanding barriers and facilitators to PA engagement that are unique to youth with comorbid asthma and OW/OB is important for PA promotion. The current qualitative study identified caregiver- and adolescent-reported factors contributing to PA among adolescents with comorbid asthma and OW/OB across the four domains of the Pediatric Self-Management Model: individual, family, community, and health care system.

METHODS

Participants were 20 adolescents (Mage = 16.01; 55% male) with asthma and OW/OB and their caregiver (90% mothers). Caregivers and adolescents participated in separate semistructured interviews about influences, processes, and behaviors related to adolescent PA engagement. Interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis.

RESULTS

Factors contributing to PA varied across four domains. The individual domain included influences (e.g., weight status, psychological and physical challenges, asthma triggers and symptoms) and behaviors (e.g., taking asthma medications, self-monitoring). At the family level, influences included support, lack of modeling, and independence; processes included prompts and praise; and behaviors included engaging in shared PA and providing resources. Community-level influences included surrounding and settings, social support, and cornonavirus disease-2019-related changes, while behaviors included engaging in PA with others and extracurricular activities.

CONCLUSIONS

Influences, processes, and behaviors across multiple domains interact to impact adolescent PA engagement, highlighting factors that may be potential leverage points in prevention and intervention efforts to promote adolescent PA.

Improving medication adherence monitoring and clinical outcomes through mHealth: A randomized controlled trial protocol in pediatric stem cell transplant

Medication non-adherence rates in children range between 50% and 80% in the United States. Due to multifaceted outpatient routines, children receiving hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HCT) are at especially high risk of non-adherence, which can be life-threatening. Although digital health interventions have been effective in improving non-adherence in many pediatric conditions, limited research has examined their benefits among families of children receiving HCT. To address this gap, we created the BMT4me© mobile health app, an innovative intervention serving as a "virtual assistant" to send medication-taking reminders for caregivers and to track, in real-time, the child's medication taking, barriers to missed doses, symptoms or side effects, and other notes regarding their child's treatment. In this randomized controlled trial, caregivers will be randomized to either the control (standard of care) group or the intervention (BMT4me© app) group at initial discharge post-HCT. Both groups will receive an electronic adherence monitoring device (i.e., medication event monitoring system "MEMS" cap, Medy Remote Patient Management "MedyRPM" medication adherence box) to store their child's immunosuppressant medication. Caregivers who agree to participate will be asked to complete enrollment, weekly, and monthly parent-proxy measures of their child's medication adherence until the child reaches Day 100 or complete taper from immunosuppression. Caregivers will also participate in a 15 to 30-minute exit interview at the conclusion of the study. Descriptive statistics and correlations will be used to assess phone activity and use behavior over time. Independent samples t-tests will examine the efficacy of the intervention to improve adherence monitoring and reduce readmission rates. The primary expected outcome of this study is that the BMT4me© app will improve the real-time monitoring and medication adherence in children receiving hematopoietic stem cell transplant following discharge, thus improving clinical outcomes.

Children with uncontrolled asthma from economically disadvantaged neighborhoods: Needs assessment and the development of a school-based telehealth and electronic inhaler monitoring system

BACKGROUND

Children from economically disadvantaged communities often encounter healthcare access barriers, increasing risk for poorly controlled asthma and subsequent healthcare utilization. This highlights the need to identify novel intervention strategies for these families.

OBJECTIVE

To better understand the needs and treatment preferences for asthma management in children from economically disadvantaged communities and to develop a novel asthma management intervention based on an initial needs assessment and stakeholder feedback.

METHODS

Semistructured interviews and focus groups were conducted with 19 children (10-17 years old) with uncontrolled asthma and their caregivers, 14 school nurses, 8 primary care physicians, and three school resource coordinators from economically disadvantaged communities. Interviews and focus groups were audio-taped and transcribed verbatim and then analyzed thematically to inform intervention development. Using stakeholder input, an intervention was developed for children with uncontrolled asthma and presented to participants for feedback to fully develop a novel intervention.

RESULTS

The needs assessment resulted in five themes: (1) barriers to quality asthma care, (2) poor communication across care providers, (3) problems identifying and managing symptoms and triggers among families, (4) difficulties with adherence, and (5) stigma. A proposed video-based telehealth intervention was proposed to stakeholders who provided favorable and informative feedback for the final development of the intervention for children with uncontrolled asthma.

CONCLUSIONS

Stakeholder input and feedback provided information critical to the development of a multicomponent (medical and behavioral) intervention in a school setting that uses technology to facilitate care, collaboration, and communication among key stakeholders to improve asthma management for children from economically disadvantaged neighborhoods.

Engaging Adolescents in Using Online Patient Portals

Importance

Many health care systems offer adolescents access to health information through online patient portals, but few studies have explored how to engage adolescents in using and benefiting from online portals.

Objective

To determine how US children's hospitals have attempted to encourage adolescent portal use, barriers to engaging adolescents, and ideal future goals for engagement.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This qualitative study performed structured qualitative interviews with informatics administrators from children's hospitals across the US between February and July 2022. Informatics administrators were employed by US health care systems that managed a children's hospital with at least 50 dedicated pediatrics beds. Data analysis was performed from November 2022 to January 2023.

Main Outcomes and Measures

This study used thematic analysis of (1) current steps that health care systems had taken to engage adolescents in using their online patient portals and (2) barriers to engaging adolescents and ideal future goals and outcomes of engagement.

Results

Among 58 total interviews with 65 informatics administrators who represented 63 hospitals across 58 health care systems, 6 themes of approaches to engaging adolescents in portal use were identified: (1) promoting and educating adolescents about portal enrollment, (2) establishing workflows to support enrollment, (3) seeking and incorporating feedback, (4) creating a culture or environment supporting engagement, (5) increasing portal utility, and (6) limited efforts. Barriers to engaging adolescents in portal use related to either (1) stakeholder investment, interest, and capabilities or (2) intersecting technical, ethical, and legal factors. Participants identified 4 ideal future efforts to engage adolescents: (1) develop adaptable private means of communication with adolescents, (2) use adolescent-centric user design, (3) enhance promotion and education about portal use, and (4) simplify and adapt workflows to encourage enrollment. Participants described 3 ideal outcomes of this future engagement: (1) provide education about current health, (2) prepare for transition to adulthood, and (3) improve digital health education of adolescents.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this qualitative study of informatics administrators, children's hospitals across the US were found to have varying degrees of efforts to engage adolescents in using their portals. Most of these efforts focused on supporting adolescent enrollment, but fewer efforts focused on making the portal useful and interesting to adolescents.

Understanding Barriers and Facilitators of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Treatment Initiation and Adherence in Black and Latinx Children

OBJECTIVE

Despite evidence that consistent treatment is important for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) management, ADHD treatment initiation and adherence remains suboptimal in minoritized children. The goal of this study was to explore barriers and facilitators to ADHD treatment initiation/adherence for minoritized children to further inform development of our family navigation intervention.

METHODS

Using a virtual platform, we completed 7 focus group sessions (total n.ß=.ß26) and 6 individual interviews with representatives from 4 stakeholder groups: experienced caregivers of children with ADHD, caregivers of children newly diagnosed with ADHD, family navigators, and clinicians who care for children with ADHD. All caregivers identified as Black and/or Latinx. Separate sessions were conducted for each stakeholder group and caregivers had the option to attend an English or Spanish session. Using a thematic analysis strategy, barriers and facilitators to ADHD treatment initiation and/or adherence were coded in focus group/interview data and themes were identified across groups.

RESULTS

The primary barriers to ADHD treatment initiation and/or adherence identified for minoritized children were lack of support from school/healthcare/family members, cultural barriers, limited resources, limited access, and treatmentconcerns, with variability in endorsement across participants. Reported facilitators included caretakers having experience with ADHD, strong support, access to resources, andwitnessing their child...s functional improvement with treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Caregiver experience with and knowledge about ADHD, support, and access to resources facilitate ADHD treatment in minoritized children. The results from this study have the potential to improve ADHD treatment initiation/adherence and outcomes for minoritized children through the development of culturally tailored, multipronged interventions.

Cross-Cultural Participation in Food-Related Activities and Quality of Life among Children with Celiac Disease

Children with celiac disease may face challenges in managing a gluten-free diet during their daily interactions and activities. The objective of this study was to compare how children with celiac disease manage their gluten-free diet and participate in food-related activities in Italy and Israel and to assess their quality of life. The previously validated Children's Activities Report (CD-Chart) and the Disease-specific Health-Related Quality of Life Questionnaire for Children with Celiac Disease (CDDUX) were administered in Italy to children aged 8-16 diagnosed with CD (n = 39). The results were compared to data that had been previously gathered from Israeli children with CD (n = 106). The CD-Chart demonstrated satisfactory internal reliability within each cultural group (Italy: α = 0.82; Israel: α = 0.76). Mann-Whitney U-tests indicated significant differences between the two groups. The Italian children exhibited a significantly higher preference for participating in the activities compared to the Israelis (U = 3283.50, p < 0.001). Nonetheless, the Italian children displayed a notable decrease in their level of involvement in the preparation required before engaging in different activities (U = 760.50, p < 0.001). Moreover, they exhibited significantly lower self-determination in this preparatory process compared to the Israeli children (U = 726.00, p < 0.001). Significant group differences were found between the CDDUX children's self-reports and parents' proxy reports in the Israeli group but not in the Italian group. The CD-Chart revealed both shared and distinct participation characteristics in daily food-related activities across different cultural contexts. By incorporating the CD-Chart and the CDDUX, healthcare professionals can emphasize crucial aspects of day-to-day health management and guide them in establishing suitable intervention objectives to enhance effective health self-management.

The Design, Development, and Usability Testing of an eHealth Program for Youths With Osteogenesis Imperfecta: Protocol for a 2-Phase User-Centered Mixed Methods Study

BACKGROUND

Innovative approaches are needed to address the self-management needs of youths with osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) transitioning into adult-oriented health care systems. Using a sequentially phased research approach, the goal is to design, develop, and test the usability of an innovative eHealth program called "Teens Taking Charge: Managing OI Online," hereafter named "Teens OI." This program seeks to optimize self-management, facilitate a successful transition to adult care, and address a critical gap in the quality of care for youths with OI.

OBJECTIVE

The study objectives are to (1) design and develop an English and French version of the Teens OI and (2) test the usability of the Teens OI in terms of efficiency, effectiveness, and satisfaction from the perspectives of youths with OI and their parents.

METHODS

A user-centered design is presently in progress to design and develop Teens OI. A "Website Design and Development Council" (ie, Council) has been convened, with 20 youths and parent dyads recruited and global experts surveyed at an international meeting. With unanimous support from the Council, usability testing of the Teens OI will ensue in 4 iterative cycles with 32 youth-parent dyads. All sociodemographic and usability metrics will be descriptively analyzed. All recorded interview and focus group data are analyzed using content analysis techniques involving an iterative process of data reduction, data display, conclusion drawing, and verification.

RESULTS

As of December 2022, an 8-person, interdisciplinary Teens OI council, comprising 4 health care professionals, 3 youths and young adults with OI, and 1 parent, has been convened to oversee the design and development of Teens OI. Two cycles of interviews have been conducted with 10 youths with OI with or without their parents (n=6) from December 2021 to September 2022. Data analysis has been in progress since April 2022. Aim 2 is ethically approved and will commence following the completion of content development, expected by late July 2023. Preliminary analysis indicates that the following topics need to be prioritized for the youths: mental health, pain, accessibility, medical care, education, community, and parental care.

CONCLUSIONS

The proposed study will design and develop a self-management and transitional care program for youths with OI in partnership with patients, caregivers, and health care professionals. This study leverages youths' openness to adopt eHealth technologies to meet their needs and has the potential to actively engage them to autonomously manage their lifelong conditions, and facilitate a successful transition to adult health care. Finally, the proposed study will also address a critical gap in the quality of care and the growing concern that the OI population transitioning from pediatric to adult care is at risk of various adverse events associated with the transition.

INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID)

DERR1-10.2196/47524.

Breathing Together: Children Co-constructing Asthma Self-Management in the United States

Pediatric asthma management in the U.S. is primarily oriented around caregivers. As evident in policy, clinical literature and provider practices, this caregiver-centric approach assumes unidirectional transfer of practices and knowledge within particular relational configurations of physicians, caregivers, and children. Reflecting broader societal values and hierarchies, children are positioned as passive recipients of care, as apprentices for future citizenship, and as the responsibility of parents who will train them in the knowledge and labor of asthma management. These ideas, though sometimes contradictory, contribute to a systemic marginalization of children as participants in their health care, leaving a conceptual gap regarding children's inclusion in chronic illness management: what children's roles in their health care are or should be. We address this conceptual gap by asking, what does pediatric asthma management look like when we center children, rather than caregivers in our lens? We draw data from a study of asthma management in St. Louis, Missouri, and Gainesville, Florida, which included 41 caregivers, 24 children, and 12 health-care providers. By asking children to show us how they manage asthma, we find that children actively co-construct health practices within broader interdependencies of care and the structural constraints of childhoods.

Technology-Assisted Stepped-Care to Promote Adherence in Adolescents with Asthma: A Pilot Study

To examine the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of a technology-assisted stepped-care behavioral intervention to improve adherence in adolescents with asthma. Thirty adolescents (Mage = 14.66, 53% male) with moderate to severe-persistent asthma completed daily adherence monitoring and medication reminders via a mobile app (Step 1). Participants with < 68% adherence during Step 1 received a telehealth behavioral intervention (Step 2). Twenty-six of 30 participants (87%) completed Step 1. Step 2 was indicated for 18 participants and was completed by 17. Participants favorably rated their experience in the study. Improvements in adherence (40-58%, p = .048) and decreases in asthma composite severity scores (CASI 6.08-5.08, p = .023) were observed for the full sample. Technology-assisted stepped-care is feasible and acceptable. Participants demonstrated improved adherence and asthma composite severity scores once they received the appropriate step of the intervention. Future studies should include a control group, a longer time-frame and an intermediate intervention step.