Titanium hardware extrusion following pediatric cranioplasty

Aging pediatric cranioplasty patients with titanium implants are a population at risk for scalp breakdown and implant extrusion. Complications from titanium use in adult cranioplasty patients are well documented in the medical literature. Reports of complications focused on pediatric populations are sparse. In this case series, we report two examples of negative sequelae associated with titanium utilization in infant cranioplasty and discuss our treatment strategy for each case

Titanium hardware extrusion following pediatric cranioplasty

Aging pediatric cranioplasty patients with titanium implants are a population at risk for scalp breakdown and implant extrusion. Complications from titanium use in adult cranioplasty patients are well documented in the medical literature. Reports of complications focused on pediatric populations are sparse. In this case series, we report two examples of negative sequelae associated with titanium utilization in infant cranioplasty and discuss our treatment strategy for each case

Communication Course for Pediatric Providers Improves Self-efficacy

Background:. Communication is essential to building a trusting, clinician-patient relationship. Multiple studies have demonstrated the effects of experiential communication training on patient experience and provider well-being and resiliency. To date, no studies have described an organization-wide communication training program for pediatric clinicians. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of a pediatric-focused communication course on provider satisfaction, self-efficacy, and burnout. Methods:. Texas Children’s Hospital, in collaboration with the Academy on Communication in Healthcare, designed and implemented a pediatric focused communication course entitled Breakthrough Communication. Pre, immediate-post, and 3-month postcourse completion online surveys were sent to participants 1 day before, 1 day after, and 3 months after course completion. Participant demographic information, self-assessment of communication skills, the Maslach Burnout Inventory Human Services Survey, and postcourse satisfaction data were collected. Results:. Participants reported high course satisfaction and improved self-efficacy in all measured skill sets both following and 3 months after course completion. Trends indicating a reduction in provider burnout improved in 2 of the 3 Maslach Burnout Inventory domains; however, statistical significance was not achieved. Conclusions:. A pediatric-focused communication course was well received by multi-specialty clinicians within a large, academic health care organization. This course enhanced clinician self-efficacy with newly learned pediatric encounter specific communication skills