University of Alabama Pediatric Pulmonary Center
Grant Status: Completed
Training Category: Maternal and Child Health Interdisciplinary Education in Pediatric Pulmonary Centers Program
Project Director(s):
Brad Troxler, MD
Project Director
University of Alabama
1530 3rd Avenue South
Birmingham, AL 35294-0111
Phone: 205-638-9583
Email: Btroxler@peds.uab.edu
Goals and Objectives:
Needs Addressed: Approximately 19.8% of U.S. children are considered Children with Special Health Care Needs (CSHCN) and Alabama consistently ranks above the national average for prevalence of CSHCN, CSHCN who live in poverty, and percentage of African-American CSHCN (National Survey of CSHCN 2009/10; http://childhealthdata.org). Children with chronic respiratory conditions are a significant portion of the total number of CSHCN, with conditions such as asthma, Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD), Cystic Fibrosis, sleep-disordered breathing, respiratory complications from muscular dystrophies/ congenital anomalies, and parenchymal lung disorders. There are insufficient numbers of pediatric pulmonary subspecialists to care for this population, with only 52 first-year pediatric pulmonary fellows enrolled in training programs in 2013 and 21% of the workforce over age 61. (Brotherton SE et al. JAMA. 2014; 312:2427-2445). These subspecialists are unevenly distributed, with 49.3% of hospital referral regions having access to a pediatric pulmonologist (Mayer ML et al. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2009;163:1087-91). With similar shortages of nurses, social workers, nutritionists, and respiratory therapists who specialize in pediatric pulmonary care, there is a critical need to train the next generation of professionals and family leaders who understand the complex needs of CSHCN and can provide leadership in interdisciplinary, family-centered, culturally competent care to this vulnerable population. Proposed Services: The UAB PPC has a 35-year history of interdisciplinary leadership training of health professionals, having trained a total of 191 fellows/trainees, who practice throughout the U.S. Fellows/trainees from the past 5 years alone practice in 7 states, with 22% from underrepresented minority groups. The PPC at UAB seeks to train MCH leaders among pediatric pulmonology fellows, trainees in advanced practice nursing, social work, respiratory therapy, dieticians, and family leaders The critical need for training will be addressed by five project goals: 1) Providing an interdisciplinary leadership training program for graduate and post graduate fellows/trainees in an exemplary clinical setting focusing on MCH Leadership Competencies, and incorporating family-centered care, public health/ population-based approaches, diversity, cultural/linguistic competence, and health equity; 2) Ensuring the provision of Family-Centered Care throughout the training project; 3) Equipping the next generation of leaders to utilize a Public Health/Population-based approach to accomplish HP2020 goals for CSHCN; 4) Increasing the diversity of the workforce and exposure to cultural competence to reduce health inequality; 5) Disseminating knowledge of pediatric pulmonary and sleep medicine to health care providers and MCH leaders through Continuing Education and Technical Assistance efforts. At least 5 fellows/trainees will be selected for training annually. Populations to be Served: By providing clinical services and producing interdisciplinary leaders, the UAB PPC will serve CSHCN, particularly children with chronic pulmonary conditions. State Title V Block Grants, health care providers, and related agencies will also be served through the provision of continuing education and technical assistance. The development of family leaders will also serve the broader CSHCN community as a result of the UAB PPC