National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute 5R01HL166504-04

Project CONNECTS: Communication and Outcomes that eNhaNce Engagement in Childhood Tonsillectomy and Sleep

This award funds a project to study how patient social factors and surgeon attitudes affect communication and outcomes in pediatric sleep-disordered breathing treatment, aiming to improve communication and reduce disparities.

Description

We evaluate the influence of patient social factors and surgeon attitudes on communication and outcomes for children with obstructive sleep-disordered breathing (OSDB). OSDB affects up to 20% of children, impacting health, behavior, and learning. The primary treatment is tonsillectomy, with or without adenoidectomy. Differences in prevalence, sleep outcomes, and complications are observed among groups, potentially influenced by clinician implicit attitudes. Our goal is to develop a profile of social and interpersonal dynamics affecting treatment decisions and outcomes. We will establish a repository of audio-recorded encounters between clinicians and parents, evaluate communication behaviors, and analyze how clinician attitudes and patient social factors influence care. We will code communication behaviors, examine trust, decision regret, and clinical outcomes, and conduct interviews to identify solutions for improving communication and engagement. Findings will inform interventions to mitigate clinician biases, promote patient-centered communication, reduce overuse, and improve outcomes.

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