Yu Shi, M.D., M.P.H.

The purpose of this study is to utilize qualitative methods, including one on one interviews and focus groups, to discover themes describing the experience of children and their families after being discharged home from PICU and their potential interests in outpatient follow-up care and interventions.  Also, to conduct a survey with 30 parents or guardians and ask about their opinions regarding the themes discovered in aim 1 and test the feasibility of questionnaires to screen for problems after PICU.

The purpose of this study is to develop and pilot a novel early intervention program for children undergoing proton radiation thereapy (PRT) for brain tumors.

Survivors of childhood brain cancers who undergo radiation therapy can have damage to normal brain tissue.  Activities such as attention training and physical exercise can improve mental function in children with brain injury that is caused by the radiation therapy.  Improvements in children’s ability to learn, behavior and fitness will lead to a better developmental outcome and quality of life in the longer term.

The overall goal of this project is to survey parents of children who have undergone proton radiation for brain tumors and collect key information that will improve the feasibility of our proposed intervention.  The survey will include questions on experience with proton treatment and opinion regarding a proposed early intervention.

The overall objective of this study is to develop the tools and preliminary data to permit the evaluation of the proposed conceptual framework of how procedures requiring anesthesia affect child health.