A proposed pediatric risk stratification method (PRiSM) for disaster preparedness.

OBJECTIVE: Children are a uniquely vulnerable population in times of disaster. Understanding the risk associated with the pediatric population is complex and involves aspects beyond just the medical needs of children. DESIGN: We reviewed current literature in two databases regarding risk and disaster preparedness in children to assess current risk stratification methodologies across multiple domains including medical, social, and educational. RESULTS: No comprehensive risk stratification tool exists that considers multiple domains. Three key domains are inter-related to a child's vulnerability in times of disaster; medical, educational, and social. We propose a pediatric risk stratification method (PRiSM) for disaster preparedness as one way to consider the three critical domains. Using existing medical, educational, and social data, our proposed framework considers all three domains to stratify children by their degree of risk in terms of disaster preparedness. PRiSM consists of a three-digit alphanumeric guide to stratify patients based on complex medical, educational, and social needs. CONCLUSION: This framework provides a possible method to risk stratify children prior to a disaster to better inform planning and responses in the future.

Training Medical Professionals to Work with Patients with Neurodevelopmental Disorders: A Systematic Review.

Background: Patients with neurodevelopmental disorders are not always provided the quality of medical care they deserve. Medical personnel report limited preparation and education in caring for patients with neurodevelopmental disorders.  Aim: The purpose of this systematic review is to summarize the research on medical personnel training programs, identify effective training methods, and provide directions for future application and research. Methods: Thirty-four studies met inclusion criteria. The studies were summarized in terms of training components, the medical personnel trained, and the effectiveness of the training in achieving target outcomes.  Results: Seventy-nine percent of studies demonstrated improvement in target outcomes. A variety of training components were used in combination throughout the studies, demonstrating a possibility of significant change to medical personnel's abilities for and attitudes about working with patients with neurodevelopmental disorders.  Conclusion: Further research is needed to determine specifically which types of training can affect which target outcomes.

The psychosocial effects of deployment on military children.

OBJECTIVE: The impact of the Global War on Terror on two million U.S. military children remains unknown. The purpose of this study was to describe the psychosocial profile of school age children during parental deployment utilizing standardized psychosocial health and stress measures, and to identify predictors of children at "high risk" for psychosocial morbidity during wartime deployment. METHODS: Army spouses with a deployed service member and a child aged 5-12 years completed a deployment packet consisting of demographic and psychosocial questions. The psychosocial health measures included the Pediatric Symptom Checklist (PSC), the Parenting Stress Index-Short Form and the Perceived Stress Scale-4. RESULTS: Overall, 32% of respondents exceeded the PSC cut off score for their child, indicating "high risk" for psychosocial morbidity and 42% reported "high risk" stress on the Parenting Stress Index-Short Form. Parenting stress significantly predicted an increase in child psychosocial morbidity (odds ratio 7.41, confidence interval 2.9-19.0, p < 0.01). Parents utilizing military support reported less child psychosocial morbidity (odds ratio 0.32, confidence interval 0.13-0.77, p < 0.01) and parental college education was related to a decrease in child psychosocial morbidity (odds ratio 0.33, confidence interval 0.13-0.81, p < 0.02). The effects of military rank, child gender, child age, and race or ethnic background did not reach statistical significance. CONCLUSION: Families in this study experiencing deployment identified one-third of military children at "high risk" for psychosocial morbidity. The most significant predictor of child psychosocial functioning during wartime deployment was parenting stress. Military, family and community supports help mitigate family stress during periods of deployment.