Background: Pediatric emergency care provision in the United States is uneven. Institutional barriers to readiness in the general emergency department (GED) are known, but little is understood about the frontline providers. Our objective was to explore the lived experiences of emergency medicine (EM) providers caring for acutely ill children in the GED and identify opportunities to optimize their pediatric practice.Methods: This grounded theory study used theoretical sampling with snowball recruitment to enroll EM physicians and advanced practice providers from 25 Wisconsin GEDs. Participants completed one-on-one, semistructured interviews. Audio recordings were transcribed and coded by a multi-investigator team drawing on theory produced from comparative analysis. Results:We reached theoretical saturation with 18 participants. The data suggested that providers felt competent managing routine pediatric care, but critically ill children outstripped their resources and expertise. They recognized environmental constraints on the care they could safely provide, which were intensified by unanticipated knowledge gaps and lack of awareness regarding pediatric practice guidelines. A fragmented medical network to support their pediatric practice was identified as a challenge to their care provision at critical junctures. Due to lack of guidance and feedback, providers internalized their experience with critically ill children with uncertainty, which limited learning and practice change. They benefited from meaningful relationships with pediatricians and pediatric subspecialists, targeted education, timely consults, and looped feedback about care provided and patient outcomes.Conclusions: General ED providers struggled with critically ill children because they could not anticipate their pediatric-specific knowledge gaps and only realized them at critical junctures. EM providers were isolated and frustrated when seeking help; without guidance and feedback they internalized their experience with uncertainty and were left underprepared for subsequent encounters. The data suggested the need for provider-focused interventions to address gaps in pediatric-specific continuing medical education, just-in-time assistance, and knowledge transfer.E ach year in the United States, approximately 35 million children are evaluated in an emergency department (ED). Secondary to hospital distribution and geographic limitations, 1 the large majority (95%) of these children are seen in a general emergency department (GED), 2 as opposed to a dedicated
Summary Objective To investigate parental perception of FIRES outcomes, assess emotional states and related social media usage. Methods A survey‐based study of parents of children with FIRES participating in a FIRES‐specific Facebook group was performed. The survey collected information on medical aspects of their child's course in the acute, subacute, and chronic periods, emotional states, and social media usage. Child outcome was assessed utilizing the pediatric extended Glasgow outcome scale (GOS‐E). Parental emotional states were assessed utilizing the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS). Descriptive statistics were performed. Associations were described using the Spearman rank correlation. Open‐ended questions were included. Thematic analysis was performed. Results Twenty‐nine surveys were analyzed. All children were in the chronic phase at time of survey response, except for two who died. Mothers answered 22 surveys, and fathers answered seven. Median age at FIRES presentation was 5.6 years [IQR 4.2‐8.95], with a median number of 3 seizures per week [IQR 0‐10, range 0‐50], 4 daily anti‐seizure medicines [IQR 3‐5], and chronic GOS‐E of 6 [IQR 2‐8 range 2‐8]. Most parents reported none to mild levels of depression, anxiety, and stress. Higher seizure burden positively correlated with parental depression symptoms (r = .41 (95% CI 0.01, 0.70), P = .045). Most parents found social media helpful with coping and 96% desired FIRES research advertised. Twenty‐five parents shared their recommendations to fellow parents and the medical team in an open‐ended format. Themes included support, expertise, and medical advice. Significance Despite their children's significantly impaired functional outcome after FIRES and high rates of medically refractory epilepsy, the cohort demonstrated remarkable emotional resilience. They perceive social media as beneficial, are interested in social media‐advertised research, and share valuable advice. Social media may serve as an introductory platform to enhance the physician‐scientist‐parent/patient relationship.
Anthropologists challenge threats to health care coverage for immigrants and people living with disability in the United States.The election of Donald Trump has signaled profound impacts to immigration, health, and social welfare policies in the United States. In a series of steps utilizing his executive powers, President Trump has kept his bold campaign promises to toughen border security and free health care markets from government oversight. He has issued tough restrictions on immigration and rolled back requirements that employers offer insurance covering birth control. His 2018 budget proposal and tax plan call for massive cuts to the social safety net, including food stamps, Medicaid, and the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program. The Trump administration has threatened to signi cantly reduce coverage for immigrants and people with disabilities, violate their right to live in our communities, and undermine decades of state and federal initiatives to rebalance spending towards community-based care.
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