Health Service Helps Hoosier Kids
The Greek mythological centaur Chiron was a unique blend of man
and horse, known for its healing abilities and wisdom. Similarly,
members of Children’s Health Services Research at the IU School
of Medicine and Riley Hospital for Children straddle two worlds
as pediatricians and researchers whose expert advice is offered
throughout Indiana.
The CHSR is one of a handful of pediatric research/medical informatics
think tanks in the nation and includes a diverse team of educators
and researchers led by Stephen M. Downs, MD, MPH. It has four areas
of focus: community pediatrics and medical home care; disseminating
information through health policy research, clinical policy analysis
and advocacy; research and service concentrating on those children
with special health care needs, living in poverty, and those facing
social and cultural barriers; and using information and technology
to improve knowledge of children’s health care and quality
of health services.
“We have an extremely fertile environment with lots of talented
people,” says Dr. Downs. “This gives us a unique opportunity
to use informatics and health services research to help the youngest
and most vulnerable patients.”
The think tank also directly contributes to medical education.
Supported by a $2.5 million grant from the Anne E. Dyson Foundation,
all first- and second-year residents do a month of training with
CHSR and community service groups with which it has collaborative
partnerships: the Indiana Parent Information Network, the Indianapolis-based
Hispanic Education Center, and the Julian Center’s programs
that provide services to abused mothers and their children. These
efforts build on the IU Pediatrics Training Program, which is responsible
for training more than 85 percent of all practicing pediatricians
in the state.
Nearly a year ago, CHSR began a pilot study of the Child Health
Improvement Through Computer Automation program, a computer-based
decision support system to assist pediatricians at Wishard Health
Services who treat 55,000 young patients annually. Here’s
how it works: at a child’s first appointment at a Wishard
care facility, the parent fills out a CHICA form. That information
is loaded into the computer system and passed along to the medical
staff who will treat the youngster that day and future visits.
CHSR members also work with informatics experts and researchers
at the IUSM-affiliated Regenstrief Institute, Inc., and have developed
scripts to help nurse managers identify patients who are likely
to have trouble managing their disease or disorder. CHSR faculty
members also have assisted the Indiana State Department of Health
to establish a chronic disease management program for asthmatic
youngsters.
To learn more about the programs and staff at the Indiana Children’s
Health Services Research, go to www.ichsr.org.
Cindy Fox-Aisen, PhD, is a national media liaison in the School’s
Office of Public and Media Relations.
|
