Size and Prevalence of Pediatric Aerodigestive Programs in 2017

Abstract

Objective: Pediatric aerodigestive programs appear to be rapidly proliferating and provide multidisciplinary, coordinated care to complex, medically-fragile children. Pediatric subspecialists are considered essential to these programs. This study evaluated the state of these programs in 2017 by surveying their size, composition, prevalence, and the number of patients that they serve. Methods: The North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology Hepatology and Nutrition Aerodigestive Special Interest Group leadership distributed an 11-question survey to the Pediatric Gastroenterology International Listserv. The mean time of the programs' existence, number of half-day clinics, number of procedure days, number of patients evaluated and the lead primary specialty were evaluated. Results: Thirty-four programs responded. Twenty-five were based in academic centers. 31 programs were located across the United States. The average time of program existence was 5.3 years (SD 4.3 range 1-17 years). 64.7% were started in the past five years. Twelve programs were based in the division of gastroenterology. The average number of gastroenterologists serving aerodigestive programs was 2 (SD 1.1). The mean number of half-day clinic sessions and procedure days were 2.8 (SD 2.9) and 2.6 (SD 2) respectively. New and follow-up visits per year in each program averaged 184 (SD 168, range 10-750).

Multidisciplinary approach to paediatric aerodigestive disorders: A single‐centre longitudinal observational study

“…Our clinic is still in its early stages of operation with only 17 months of data collated currently. The average operational age of similar programmes mostly from North America being 5.3 years (SD = 4.3; range 1–17 years) 8 . Our programme is different from other programmes since the lead specialty driving the growth and development of the programme is respiratory medicine.…”

“…The average operational age of similar programmes mostly from North America being 5.3 years (SD = 4.3; range 1-17 years). 8 Our programme is different from other programmes since the lead specialty driving the growth and development of the programme is respiratory medicine. Similar programmes at other centres are primarily led by gastroenterology or otolaryngology units.…”

“…Many studies have shown that offering a coordinated care to these children in the form of aerodigestive clinic (ADC) not only facilitates the clinical care but also improves the overall outcomes. [5][6][7][8][9] Similar approach has changed our practice in management of other chronic conditions such as obesity, asthma, diabetes and cystic fibrosis. 5 With this view of improving the care of children with complex congenital or acquired conditions affecting breathing, swallowing and growth, an ADC was established in 2018 at our paediatric tertiary care centre in Queensland.…”

“…This warrants for an interdisciplinary coordinated clinic care approach. Many studies have shown that offering a coordinated care to these children in the form of aerodigestive clinic (ADC) not only facilitates the clinical care but also improves the overall outcomes 5–9 . Similar approach has changed our practice in management of other chronic conditions such as obesity, asthma, diabetes and cystic fibrosis 5 …”

Development of a Multidisciplinary Aerodigestive Program: An Institutional Experience

“…The first aerodigestive multidisciplinary program was initiated at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital in the United States in 1999 [ 9 ]. Since then, pediatric aerodigestive programs have become more prevalent, with approximately 50 aerodigestive centers established across the United States of America [ 3 , 10 ]. However, aerodigestive programs are still scarce in Asia, even in advanced tertiary care setup.…”