| 1. |
- Dosa, Nienke P, et al.
(författare)
-
Spina bifida global learning collaborative : Educating the next generation of clinicians, researchers, and advocates
- 2023
-
Ingår i: Journal of Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine. - : IOS Press. - 1874-5393 .- 1875-8894. ; 16:4, s. 657-663
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- PURPOSE: This project aimed to launch an international learning community to guide the development of a spina bifida (SB) curriculum for global health trainees.METHODS: Using a descriptive study design, a convenience sample of SB curricula were identified in 2022-23 by members of the Spina Bifida World Congress Outreach Committee and evaluated during a series of monthly Zoom calls to discuss SB education in a global health context. Participants included (1) leadership from the ReachAnother Foundation, (2) invited panelists from the Spina Bifida World Congress Global Health Symposium, and (3) global health students and preceptors. Education initiatives in Ethiopia, Sweden, Argentina, Ecuador, and the United States were evaluated vis-à-vis format and content.RESULTS: All of the education initiatives referenced the framework of the World Health Organization International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health. Formats varied and included both virtual and interactive workshops, print materials, videos, and guides for small group discussion. Content addressed four domains: Folate Prevention, Neurosurgical Training, After Care, and Data Collection. A multidisciplinary approach, partnerships with families, and workforce pipeline training were identified as guiding themes for educating the next generation of SB researchers and clinicians in global health settings.CONCLUSION: The Spina Bifida Global Learning Collaborative is a transnational group of advocates, clinicians, and investigators whose mission is the advancement of SB-related global health education. Lessons learned from the collaborative are being leveraged to develop a global health curriculum for learners, which may improve services for individuals with SB around the globe.
|
|
| 2. |
- Schmidt, Steven M., et al.
(författare)
-
Bone and joint complications and reduced mobility are associated with pain in children with cerebral palsy
- 2020
-
Ingår i: Acta Paediatrica, International Journal of Paediatrics. - : Wiley. - 0803-5253. ; 109:3, s. 541-549
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Aim: To investigate the relationships between pain in the lower extremities and back, and spasticity, bone/joint complications and mobility. Methods: Retrospective population-based registry study. Participants (N = 3256) with cerebral palsy (CP), 2.5-16 years of age, participating in the Swedish Cerebral Palsy Follow-up Program were included. Spasticity was measured using scissoring and the Modified Ashworth Scale. Bone/joint complications consisted of hip displacement, range of motion, windswept posture and scoliosis. Mobility was measured using the Functional Mobility Scale (5-, 50- and 500-metres), wheelchair use (outdoors) and the ability to stand/get up from sitting/use stairs, respectively. Pain was measured as presence of pain in hips, knees, feet and back. Data were analysed using structural equation modelling. Results: Bone/joint complications had the strongest direct pathway with pain in the lower extremities (standardised regression coefficient = 0.48), followed by reduced mobility (standardised regression coefficient = −0.24). The pathways between spasticity and pain, and age and pain were not significant. The R2 of the model was 0.15. Conclusion: Bone/joint complications and reduced mobility were associated with pain in the lower extremities when controlling for sex. Considering the R2 of the model, other factors not included in the model are also associated with pain in the lower extremities in children with CP.
|
|
| 3. |
|
|
| 4. |
- Alriksson-Schmidt, Ann, et al.
(författare)
-
Follow-up of individuals with cerebral palsy through the transition years and description of adult life : the Swedish experience.
- 2014
-
Ingår i: Journal of pediatric rehabilitation medicine. - 1875-8894. ; 7:1, s. 53-61
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- OBJECTIVE: To describe the process of providing healthcare through the transition years to individuals with cerebral palsy (CP) and to present data on living arrangements, education/occupation status, and use of personal assistance in young Swedish adults with CP.METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study of 102 participants (63 males) participating in a standardized follow-up program called CPUP. Data were analyzed in relation to the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) and the Manual Ability Classification System (MACS).RESULTS: Of the participants, 58 "lived with parents", 29 reported "independent living", and 15 reported "special service housing". Living arrangements differed among GMFCS levels (p< 0.001) and 14 of 20 with severe disabilities lived with their parents. Thirty-four of 70 reported personal assistance; use of assistance correlated (p< 0.001) with GMFCS (r(s) =0.71) and MACS (r(s) = 0.70). Thirty five were "students", 20 "employed", 36 in "daily activities", and 9 were "unemployed". Of those employed, 18 had GMFCS levels I-II.CONCLUSION: Some young adults with CP and severe functional limitations manage independent living - however, many still live with their parents. Although many are students, a large number are unemployed. There is disconnect between the pediatric and adult healthcare systems. CPUP may facilitate in making the transition smoother.
|
|
| 5. |
- Alriksson-Schmidt, Ann I, et al.
(författare)
-
A combined surveillance program and quality register improves management of childhood disability
- 2017
-
Ingår i: Disability and Rehabilitation. - : TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD. - 0963-8288 .- 1464-5165. ; 39:8, s. 830-836
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Purpose: To describe a concept for prevention of secondary conditions in individuals with chronic neuromuscular disabilities by using two Swedish developed follow-up-programmes for cerebral palsy (CP; CPUP) and myelomeningocele (MMC; MMCUP) respectively as examples. Method: This paper describes and outlines the rationale, development and implementation of CPUP and MMCUP. Results: Both programmes are multidisciplinary longitudinal follow-up programmes that simultaneously serve as national registries. The programmes are population-based and set in Swedish habilitation clinics. Most children (95%) born 2000 or later with CP are enrolled in CPUP and the recruitment of adults is underway. CPUP has also been implemented in Norway, Denmark, Iceland, Scotland and parts of Australia. In MMCUP, almost all children with MMC born 2007 or later participate and individuals of all ages are now invited. The registries provide epidemiological profiles associated with CP and MMC and platforms for population-based research and quality of care improvement. Conclusions: Through multidisciplinary follow-up and early detection of emerging complications individuals with CP or MMC can receive less complex and more effective interventions than if treatment is implemented at a later stage. Possibilities and challenges to design, implement and continuously run multidisciplinary secondary prevention follow-up programmes and quality registries for individuals with CP or MMC are described and discussed.Implications for rehabilitationIndividuals with disabilities such as cerebral palsy or myelomeningocele are at risk of developing secondary conditions.Multidisciplinary population-based longitudinal follow-up programmes seem effective in preventing certain types of secondary conditions. IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION Individuals with disabilities such as cerebral palsy or myelomeningocele are at risk of developing secondary conditions. Multidisciplinary population-based longitudinal follow-up programmes seem effective in preventing certain types of secondary conditions.
|
|
| 6. |
- Alriksson-Schmidt, Ann I, et al.
(författare)
-
CP-North: living life in the Nordic countries? : A retrospective register research protocol on individuals with cerebral palsy and their parents living in Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland and Iceland
- 2019
-
Ingår i: BMJ Open. - : BMJ. - 2044-6055. ; 9:10
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- INTRODUCTION: Cerebral palsy (CP) is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disabilities. Yet, most individuals with CP are adults. How individuals with CP fare in terms of health, quality of life (QoL), education, employment and income is largely unknown. Further, little is known about the effects of having a child with CP on the parents. The Nordic countries are known for their strong welfare systems, yet it is unknown to what extent the added burden related to disability is actually compensated for. We will explore how living with CP affects health, QoL, healthcare utilisation, education, labour market outcomes, socioeconomic status and mortality throughout the lifespan of individuals with CP and their parents. We will also investigate if these effects differ between subgroups, within and across the Nordic countries. METHODS AND ANALYSES: CP-North is a multidisciplinary 4-year (1 August 2017 to 31 July 2021) register research project. The research consortium comprises researchers and users from Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Iceland and Finland. Data from CP registries and follow-up programmes, or cohorts of individuals with CP, will be merged with general national registries. All individual studies are structured under three themes: medical outcomes, social and public health outcomes, and health economics. Both case-control and cohort designs will be included depending on the particular research question. Data will be analysed in the individual countries and later merged across nations.ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The ethics approval processes in each individual country are followed. Findings will be published (open access) in international peer-reviewed journals in related fields. Updates on CP-North will be published online at http://rdi.arcada.fi/cpnorth/en/.
|
|
| 7. |
- Alriksson-Schmidt, Ann I., et al.
(författare)
-
Flaunting our assets. Making the most of the Nordic registry goldmine : Cerebral palsy as an example
- 2020
-
Ingår i: Scandinavian Journal of Public Health. - : SAGE Publications. - 1403-4948 .- 1651-1905. ; 48:1, s. 113-118
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Aims:To describe the early experiences of a Nordic multidisciplinary cerebral palsy (CP) registry research program combining data from national medical quality registries, follow-up programs and cohort data, in addition to data from other national registries; to explore the scientific and practical uses of such research, and provide recommendations for facilitating similar work in the future. Methods: The work was divided into three themes: medical outcomes, social and public health outcomes, and health economics; and three cross-cutting teams: a reference team, a challenge team, and a communication and dissemination team. Initially each country will perform domestic research, and in the second stage data will be merged across all Nordic countries. Data from national registries with vital statistics, education and work, social benefits, and healthcare will be used. Comparisons will be matched for both the individuals with CP and their parents. Results: Initial work has been done on agreeing which variables to request from the respective agencies and planning the correct procedures and steps required to acquire the data. As of 2018, Sweden, Norway, and Finland have received approved ethics board applications. Iceland and Denmark are waiting for their approvals. A webpage and a platform for internal communication have been created. Conclusions: Nordic register research has great potential. Linking national CP quality registries and follow-up programs with other large national registries holds particular promise because problems identified through research can be applied at a population level. It is imperative that ethical clearance and data delivery processes are streamlined and transparent, and that data variables are measured the same way in the different countries.
|
|
| 8. |
- Alriksson-Schmidt, Ann I, et al.
(författare)
-
Living life with cerebral palsy? A description of the social safety nets for individuals with cerebral palsy in the Nordic countries
- 2021
-
Ingår i: Scandinavian Journal of Public Health. - : SAGE Publications. - 1651-1905 .- 1403-4948. ; 49:6, s. 653-665
-
Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- AIMS: This report reviews major laws, acts and regulations of social benefits and services for individuals with disabilities, focusing on cerebral palsy in the five Nordic countries. It summarizes the available benefits and services and the re-application process and provides comparative analyses among the countries.METHODS: Published reports, articles and relevant government and municipal websites were reviewed for each respective country and used to compile an overview and comparison between the countries.RESULTS: In the Nordic countries, there are a number of laws and regulations in place to support individuals with cerebral palsy and their families. In addition, there are numerous social benefits available for which individuals with disabilities can apply. Although there are national differences, the similarities across the five countries regarding laws, social benefits offered for individuals with cerebral palsy and the application processes are clear. However, the application processes seem cumbersome and, at times, redundant. Physicians and other healthcare specialists repeatedly need to write 'medical certificates' describing the diagnosis and its consequences for a disability that is chronic and lifelong.CONCLUSIONS: Participation in society for individuals with cerebral palsy disabilities can be enabled by social benefits. By extension, social benefits may indirectly have implications for public health in individuals with disabilities. Although the lives of individuals with cerebral palsy - as with others - can improve in certain areas, the need for social benefits will generally increase, not decrease, over time. Although it is clearly important to have checks and balances that prevent system misuse, it might be worthwhile from a cost-benefit perspective to investigate whether the current systems could be improved to better manage time and resources and avoid emotional distress by streamlining the application process.
|
|
| 9. |
- Alriksson-Schmidt, Ann I., et al.
(författare)
-
Public Health and Disability : A Real-Life Example of the Importance of Keeping Up the Good Work
- 2021
-
Ingår i: Disabilities. - : MDPI AG. - 2673-7272. ; 1:3, s. 151-160
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Secondary and tertiary prevention strategies are essential in targeting those with disabilities to improve their health and well-being. In Sweden, over 95% of all children with cerebral palsy (CP) participate in a follow-up program in which one of the goals is to prevent hip dislocations. To demonstrate the importance of maintaining timely, systematic, preventive, work overtime, we reviewed the incidence of hip dislocations from 2010 to 2019 and the number of children who underwent different types of hip surgeries in Sweden. Leading to 2015, the number of hip dislocations reduced from 8.8% before the introduction of the program to 0.3–0.4%, followed by a gradual increase to 0.8% in 2019. The proportion of children who underwent adductor–psoas lengthening as their primary preventative surgery decreased from 65% in 2010 to 45% in 2019, with a corresponding increase of children undergoing femoral osteotomy, indicating that more children underwent surgery at a later stage. One of the likely reasons for the increase in hip dislocations includes longer waiting periods before surgery, possibly due to a shortage of nurses. At least seven of the 29 children with dislocated hips waited more than one year for preventative surgery and developed a hip dislocation during this period. It is also possible that the increased number of children with hip dislocations may be associated with the fact that more children with CP have immigrated to Sweden in recent years without receiving corresponding compensation in healthcare resources. The results highlight the importance of constantly monitoring follow-up programs to swiftly notice alarming trends that require immediate action.
|
|
| 10. |
- Alriksson-Schmidt, Ann I, et al.
(författare)
-
Site, frequency, and duration of pain in young children with spina bifida
- 2021
-
Ingår i: Journal of Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine. - 1874-5393. ; 14:4, s. 571-582
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- PURPOSE: To investigate the: (1) percent of children with spina bifida (SB) complaining of pain, (2) frequency, duration, and cause of pain by sex, level of lesion type of SB, and ambulation status, (3) body sites reported to hurt, by variables in objective 2, and (4) associations between physical and mental/emotional health between caregiver and child.METHODS: Cross-sectional study of 101 caregivers of children (3 to 6 years old) with SB. Survey data and information from medical records were included. Pearson chi-square, one-way ANOVA, Fisher's exact test, logistic regressions, and bivariate correlations were used.RESULTS: Seventy percent reported that their child complained of pain, which did not significantly differ by sex, level of lesion, type of SB, or ambulation status. Most (86%) were reported to have experienced pain for less than 24 hours. The most frequently reported pain site was the head, followed by the abdomen and the lower body. Number of pain sites was moderately correlated with frequency of pain complaints. Correlations between how caregivers reported their own physical/mental/emotional health and how they rated that of their children ranged from weak (r = 0.22) to moderate (r = 0.55).CONCLUSION: Almost seven of ten children reportedly complained of pain ranging from at least once a month to everyday. Pain needs to be routinely assessed and treated in this population.
|
|
