Funded Projects

Problem:

Introduction:

The Pediatric Pulmonary Division at University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) serves a diverse and underserved patient population. Our team of diverse and highly skilled clinicians, nurse practitioners, nutritionists, respiratory therapists, pharmacists, and social workers assist in the coordinated care of children and youth with special health care needs (CYSHCN) -- specifically those with pulmonary and sleep disorders -- in well-established multidisciplinary care clinics. We work closely with community clinics and Title V-supported California Children's Services (CCS) to care for children with complex respiratory disorders. Our Fellowship Training Program consistently trains leaders in pediatric pulmonary medicine. Our commitment to patient care, training, and diversity in conjunction with our collaborative working environment within UCSF, community clinics and public health agencies, speaks to the strength we have to carry out the PPC proposal to train pulmonary experts across five MCH core disciplines to lead advances in pediatric pulmonary and sleep health.

Needs Assessment:

Significant workforce shortages in pediatric pulmonology are predicted to increase with the current fellowship graduation rates and aging of the existing workforce. A declining pediatric pulmonary workforce critically impacts California, Region IX and nationally due to population growth and access barriers. Pulmonary and sleep health needs require innovative approaches and a well-trained interdisciplinary workforce that is responsive to the complex and comprehensive needs of family and children, including routine preventive care, nutrition, mental health and medication support.

Goals and Objectives:

1. To recruit and train diverse trainees to become MCH leaders in pediatric pulmonology and sleep health across MCH core disciplines (pediatric pulmonology, nursing, nutrition, social work, and pharmacy) that incorporates MCH leadership competencies and HRSA Title V priorities -- that aim to promote comprehensive, coordinated, family-centered, and culturally sensitive systems of health care for CYSHCN;
2. To promote innovative health delivery system to expand access to quality comprehensive pulmonary and sleep care;
3. To strengthen the capacity of clinical and non-clinical systems of care through collaboration and coordination with community partners, families and MCH stakeholders;
4. To develop and disseminate evidence-based interdisciplinary care practices to MCH professionals through CE, consulting and technical assistance; and
5. To advance knowledge base and skill in pulmonary and sleep health embedded in clinical, community and public health settings with translation and dissemination.

Methodology:

We will train at least 5 long-term, 20 medium-term and 40 short-term trainees from MCH core disciplines each year through interdisciplinary core curriculum, clinical practices, research and community engagement that addresses health disparities and inequities.

Evaluation:

UCSF PPC program progress and outcome evaluation include trainee development, curricula evaluations, feedback from participants, assessment of clinical activities through the demographics of whom we serve in clinics and through telehealth, scholarly work and research through regional and national presentations and publications in peer-reviewed journals.