Research

The Pediatric Hospital Medicine Division is dedicated to rigorous clinical and outcomes research to improve how we care for hospitalized pediatric patients. Our expertise encompasses several areas, including: Medical Education Scholarship, Health Related Social Needs, Asthma, Quality Improvement and Patient Safety Innovations, and Patient and Family Centered Communication. Our goals are to enhance clinical outcomes, optimize healthcare delivery especially for our most vulnerable patients and families, and to improve the overall experience for patients and their families.

1. Medical Education: Many of our faculty are currently involved in curriculum development and directing and evaluating training programs and clerkships. Our faculty are also investigating the efficacy of simulation-based training, educational innovations, and strategies to enhance learning and prepare future leaders in pediatric medicine.  
2. Health Related Social Needs: Understanding the impact of social determinants on pediatric health is crucial for providing equitable care. Our research in this area examines how to optimize identification of the needs of patients and their families, and how these social determinants influence children's health outcomes. We are working to identify gaps in care and develop interventions that address these disparities, aiming to improve health equity and access for all pediatric patients. 
3. Asthma: Asthma is a prevalent condition and a major driver of pediatric hospitalizations.  Our division is conducting research to better understand risk factors for severe asthma and environmental causes that may worsen asthma outcomes.  
4. Quality Improvement and Patient Safety Innovations: Ensuring high standards of quality and safety in pediatric care is a top priority. Our research in this domain involves developing and testing innovative quality improvement initiatives and safety protocols. We are implementing data-driven approaches to identify areas for improvement, designing interventions to enhance care processes, and evaluating their impact on patient outcomes. Our work aims to foster a culture of safety and continuous improvement within pediatric hospital settings. 
5. Patient and Family Centered Communication: Effective communication with patients and their families is fundamental to delivering compassionate and effective care. Our division focuses on examining how to optimize communication strategies to better engage families, enhance shared decision-making, and improve overall patient experience, including patients and/or families whose first language is not English.