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Burlington,
Mass.,
pediatrician Ben Scheindlin, M.D., FAAP, does it for "the
fun" and enjoys the knowledge that "colleagues all
over the country are collaborating on the same effort." Los
Angeles pediatrician Heide Woo, M.D., FAAP, does it
because it helps her provide "a higher quality of care" to
her patients.
The "it" is
participating in Pediatric Research in Office Settings
(PROS) - the Academy's practice-based research network. Along
with 1,700 of their colleagues across the nation, Drs.
Scheindlin and Woo help generate knowledge about the
best pediatric care, not only for the patients in their
offices, but also for those across the country.
Dr.
Scheindlin joined PROS in 1995, and all of his colleagues
also participate in the research network.
"The
excitement of reading about and working on PROS studies
spills over and constantly renews my excitement about
primary care pediatric practice," he said. "I get excited
every time I see our practice name listed at the end
of an article in a medical journal."
Dr.
Scheindlin said he has been able to use PROS research
findings in his practice, including the normal time
of pubertal onset in girls, the high prevalence of
behavioral symptoms in young children and how to manage
febrile young infants. PROS studies also have helped
him rethink how he approaches well-child care and anticipatory
guidance.
"As
someone who has always been interested in research
and attracted to academic medicine, but was called
to clinical primary care practice, it's great to have
readymade opportunities to contribute my small part
to important research studies," Dr. Scheindlin said.
"I'm proud to be part of such a high-quality group as PROS.
It's a pediatric grassroots effort; it's open to anyone
who wants to participate, and it makes me feel more connected
to the larger AAP."
Dr.
Woo practices with three colleagues, serving a diverse
population in West Los Angeles. Since joining
PROS in 1999, she has found that participation in studies
affects her care of patients in surprising ways.
"I
have been asked by parents of boys coming in for
physicals about when to expect the onset of puberty," she
noted.
"I have been happy and gratified to tell them my part in
the Secondary Sexual Characteristics in Boys study, which
is designed to answer exactly that question, and that the
answer will be available in the next year or two when the
full study is complete."
She
also sees benefits with her practice employees. "The
office staff who have helped us do the PROS studies
have appreciated the fact that we as an office are
committed to research and, through the research, also
to improving the quality of care we deliver to the
patients."
Both
practitioners have seen their roles in PROS grow over
the years. Beginning as contributing practitioners,
they have gone on to become chapter representatives
and members of the network's steering committee, and
have participated in writing up study results (as any
PROS practitioner is welcome to do).
Dr.
Scheindlin co-authored a recently published paper in Clinical
Pediatrics, based on the results of the violence-prevention-oriented
Safety Check study. Dr. Woo coauthored a platform
presentation at the 2004 Pediatric Academic Societies
meeting, based on the results of the PROS Life Around
Newborn Discharge study.
"In
the era of evidence-based medicine,"
Dr. Woo said, "it is quite exciting to be able to prove
the value of some of the things we do in general pediatrics,
whether it is how we care for young febrile infants or
the discussions we have with parents on anticipatory
guidance and violence prevention."
Core
funding for PROS is provided by the Health Resources
and Services Administration Maternal and Child Health
Bureau and the Academy. As always, PROS seeks
practitioners interested in participating in its research. To
inquire about joining PROS, send an e-mail to pros@aap.org,
or call PROS Central at 800/433-9016, extension 7623.
©Copyright
2007 AAP News - Reprinted with permission
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