Researchers are currently recruiting participants for a clinical trial to help care for and coordinate the healthcare of children with chronic diseases. This is particularly important since childhood obesity and diabetes is prevalent in Miami’s most vulnerable communities.
The University of Miami Miller School of Medicine (MSOM) http://med.miami.edu Pediatrics and Telehealth is collaborating with Verizon Wireless www.verizonwireless.com on the trial. The university and Verizon are going to provide information and communications technologies (ICT) to improve the quality, access, and efficiency of pediatric services to help with chronic disease issues.
The estimated enrollment for the trial will be 50 children 5 to 18 years old that will be recruited from an outpatient clinic. The clinical trial will study the problem using a tablet with chronic disease apps plus the tablet will be used for follow-up visits using video conferencing. The tablets will contain software to help educate patients and their families about asthma and overweight obesity and then track progress in managing their medical issues.
There will be approximately 6 visits during the study held at one month intervals. At the initial visit for overweight children, the patients will be assessed for their behaviors and attitudes regarding eating, physical activity, sedentary time, and motivation.
For example, if the child has asthma, the pediatrician will assess the disease. During the first and last visits, pre-and-post assessments will be made as to the child’s quality of life, adherence to the medical regimen, physical activity, and dietary habits.
Throughout the course of the study, the chronic condition pediatrician and behavior specialist will see patients in a consult capacity for their chronic condition, but the patient will continue to see their regular pediatrician for primary care needs.
Go to http://clinicaltrials.gov.ct2/show/NCT02490566?term=telehealth&rank=97 to see the study (NCT02490566). Principal investigator is Judy Schaechter M.D Chair, Department of Pediatrics, University of Miami, http://pediatrics.med.miami.edu.