Daytime Sleepiness in Children With Asthma: Examining Respiratory and Non-respiratory Factors

Objective Daytime sleepiness is common in youth with asthma (YWA). Treatments designed to mitigate daytime sleepiness in YWA require an understanding of the primary causes of this problem. We examined respiratory- and non-respiratory-related factors associated with daytime sleepiness in YWA. Methods One hundred YWA (eight to 17 years old) were included in a cross-sectional study. Daytime sleepiness, quality of life, anxiety, bedtime cellphone use, and respiratory symptoms were self-reported. Asthma severity, lung function, and the number of prescribed medications were obtained from electronic medical records. Multivariable regression models identifying variables associated with daytime sleepiness were generated. Results Participants were 54% male and 45% Black, with a mean age of 12.1 years. The multivariable regression model showed decreased quality of life (b = -0.328, p = 0.004) and increased bedtime cellphone use (b = 0.300, p = 0.004)were significantly related to daytime sleepiness, while anxiety (b = 0.213, p = 0.05), prescribed asthma medications (b = 0.173, p = 0.05), and worse lung function (b = -0.173, p = 0.05)were marginally related to daytime sleepiness. Conclusions In addition to optimizing asthma control, strategies targeting anxiety, quality of life, and nocturnal cellphone use are important to mitigate daytime sleepiness in YWA.

Pediatric primary care clinicians' views on needs and challenges in caring for infants with intrauterine opioid exposure and their families

Opioid use disorder (OUD) during pregnancy has risen in the U.S. over the past two decades, resulting in a growing number of children with intrauterine opioid exposure (IOE). Limited research exists supporting best practices to optimize primary care for these children and their families, particularly mothers with OUD. Using a modified Delphi method, we surveyed pediatric primary care clinicians from a single children's health care system regarding their experiences in caring for this population. In Phase 1, open-ended survey questions inquired about needs and challenges facing these infants, their families, and clinicians and resources within primary care. After thematic analysis, the most frequent responses were presented as a Phase 2 survey for clinicians to select their top five. Percentages for the most commonly selected top five themes were tabulated. Survey response rates were 58/139 (42%) for Phase 1 and 45/137 (33%) for Phase 2. For infants with IOE and their families, respondents identified parenting knowledge and family issues related to maternal OUD as top challenges, with limited resources to address them in primary care. Clinicians identified time constraints and follow-up issues as top challenges. Future intervention in pediatric primary care could include addressing parenting education, resource gaps, and best practice recommendations in caring for children with IOE.

Dyadic digital health interventions: Their rationale and implementation

While most psychosocial and behavioral digital health interventions have been designed to be consumed by an individual, intervening at the level of a dyad - two interdependent individuals - can more comprehensively address the needs of both individuals and their relationship. The clinical utility of the dyadic digital health intervention approach, as well as the practical implementation of this design, will be demonstrated via three examples: eSCCIP, FAMS, and OurRelationship.

Pediatric Psychosocial Standards of Care in action: Research that bridges the gap from need to implementation

OBJECTIVE

To describe innovative models of psychosocial care delivery that align with published Standards of Psychosocial Care of Children with Cancer and their Families, in efforts to bridge the divide between research and practice.

METHODS

The Mattie Miracle Cancer Foundation, in partnership with the American Psychosocial Oncology Society reviewed 22 letters of intent and 13 full grants and awarded small grants to researchers with high quality projects that aimed to implement any of the published 15 Standards of Care. For three of the highest rated funded research projects, we describe the Standard implemented, the novel research design and implementation strategies, and how the research findings might inform the development, implementation, and dissemination of effective solutions for bridging Standard-to-practice gaps.

RESULTS

The first study presented is an innovative eHealth intervention for parents of children with cancer designed to improve family functioning and decrease symptoms of acute distress, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress. The second study addresses the acceptability and feasibility of using daily text message assessments of oral chemotherapy adherence in adolescents and young adults with leukemia, and the third creates a blueprint for providing psychosocial services to siblings, including ways to overcome common implementation barriers.

CONCLUSIONS

Several themes emerged from the studies presented, including (1) attention to barriers to previous attempts at implementation; (2) technology's role in delivering care; (3) the need for stakeholder involvement; and (4) consideration for multi-pronged solutions that address heterogeneity in care settings. Next steps for integrating the Standards of Psychosocial Care into clinical practice are discussed.

A psychosocial clinical care pathway for pediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

OBJECTIVE

Currently, no evidence-based psychosocial clinical care pathways (PCCP) exist to triage psychosocial risk levels and guide delivery of psychosocial care to youth receiving a hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HCT) and their families. The purpose of this paper is to describe the use of qualitative research methodologies to develop PCCP in pediatric HCT consistent with the Standards for Psychosocial Care developed for children with cancer.

METHODS

We previously used qualitative methodologies to interview parents to identify four principles to inform the development of PCCPs. Then in this study a focus group with parents and multidisciplinary clinicians was conducted to assess the acceptability of the PCCP, suggest modifications, and provide input on its use.

RESULTS

The PCCP is six-step pathway, starting with a standardized screening assessment with the Psychosocial Assessment Tool (PAT-HCT) that identifies the family's specific care needs. The focus group data support overall assessment with the PAT-HCT and the care principles underlying this approach.

CONCLUSIONS

This PCCP is a systemic multidisciplinary model for providing psychosocial care that is ready for the next stage of development and evaluation in clinical care.

Screening for Family Psychosocial Risk in Pediatric Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation with the Psychosocial Assessment Tool

Family psychosocial risk screening is an important initial step in delivering evidence-based care in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HCT). Establishing an evidence-based screening approach that is acceptable, reliable, and valid is an essential step in psychosocial care delivery. This is a 3-institution multimethod study. In part 1, caregivers of children about to undergo HCT (n = 140) completed the Psychosocial Assessment Tool-Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation (PAT-HCT), a brief parent report screener adapted for HCT, and validating questionnaires. Families received feedback on their risks identified on the PAT-HCT. In part 2, 12 caregivers completed a semistructured interview about their perceptions of the PAT and the feedback process. The reliability and validity of the PAT-HCT total and subscale scores were tested using Kuder-Richardson-20 (KR-20) and Pearson correlations. Thematic content analysis was used to analyze the qualitative interview data. Internal consistency for the total score (KR-20 = .88) and the Child Problems, Sibling Problems, Family Problems, and Stress Reactions subscales were strong (KR-20 >.70). Family Structure, Social Support, and Family Beliefs subscales were adequate (KR-20 = .55 to .63). Moderate to strong correlations with the criteria measures provided validation for the total and subscale scores. Feedback was provided to 97.14% of the families who completed the PAT-HCT, and the mean rating of acceptability was >4.00 (on a 5-point scale). The qualitative data indicate that families appreciate the effort to provide screening and feedback. The PAT-HCT is a psychometrically sound screener for use in HCT. Feedback can be given to families. Both the screener and the feedback process are acceptable to caregivers.

The multidisciplinary pediatric psycho-oncology workforce: A national report on supervision for staff and training opportunities

OBJECTIVE

This paper presents data on licensure/certification status, supervision of multidisciplinary pediatric psychosocial staff, and training opportunities in pediatric cancer programs in the United States, data that are critical to provide care aligned with the Standards of Psychosocial Care in Pediatric Cancer (Psychosocial Standards).

METHODS

An online survey of psychosocial care consistent with the Psychosocial Standards was completed from a national sample of pediatric cancer programs (144/200). Licensure/certification status, availability and format of supervision for multidisciplinary staff (social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists, child life specialists/recreational therapists), and types and number of psychosocial trainees were reported.

RESULTS

Nearly all pediatric psychosocial providers were licensed/certified. Peer consultation was the most frequently endorsed form of staff supervision although a sizeable group of centers reported no systematic ongoing supervision. Trainees in social work and child life were most common although the size of trainee cohorts is generally small. Psychosocial trainees are more prevalent in sites with pediatric hematology/oncology medical fellowship programs and in larger programs.

CONCLUSIONS

A properly trained and supported psychosocial workforce is essential to providing evidence-based care consistent with the Psychosocial Standards. Psychosocial providers are appropriately licensed. However, supervision opportunities are variable and may be inadequate for the intensity of the work. It is important to address the limited opportunities for trainees in pediatric cancer programs, which may influence the pipeline for ongoing and future work in this area.

Therapy of lower extremity infections with ciprofloxacin in patients with diabetes mellitus, peripheral vascular disease, or both

PURPOSE

Lower extremity infections in the presence vascular insufficiency are difficult and costly to treat. Few well-controlled clinical trials evaluating the management of these infections exist. We decided to investigate the ability of a new fluoroquinolone, ciprofloxacin, to reduce the morbidity associated with these infections and the amount of in-hospital time required for the administration of antibiotic therapy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Forty-eight patients with peripheral vascular disease (46 with diabetes mellitus) who presented to the hospital for treatment of lower extremity infections were randomized in a blinded fashion to receive oral ciprofloxacin at a dosage of either 750 mg or 1,000 mg twice daily. Patients with osteomyelitis received three months of therapy and those with infections limited to soft tissues, three weeks of ciprofloxacin treatment. All subjects were followed for one year.

RESULTS

One patient received an amputation 24 hours after enrollment, and two patients discontinued therapy after 20 and 34 days because of adverse effects and were not evaluable. At the one-year follow-up, 27 of the 45 (60 percent) evaluable patients had a fully successful outcome defined as not requiring either repeat antimicrobial therapy for their initial infection or amputation of the involved extremity. In the group of 18 patients in whom therapy failed, a total of only nine amputations were required. In the 15 patients whose lesion closed during therapy, 93% (14 patients) experienced a long-term successful outcome.

CONCLUSION

Treatment with this new fluoroquinolone offers promise for the improved outcome of patients with the serious infectious complication of infected lower extremity ulcerations in peripheral vascular disease, diabetes mellitus, or both.