Helping Families Cope After An Injury

Main Category: Pediatrics / Children's Health
Also Included In: Anxiety / Stress
Article Date: 08 Feb 2008 - 0:00 PDT

email to a friend   printer friendly   view / write opinions   rate article

The Center for Injury Research and Prevention at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia is pleased to announce a $50,000 grant received to help prevent traumatic stress in children after an injury. Researchers at the Center are working with injured children and their families to develop effective screening tools and interventions that can be integrated into hospital trauma care. They are developing a state-of-the-art interactive Web site that will provide parents with easy access to credible information, tips, and practical tools to help support their injured children's emotional recovery.

"The generous grant from Verizon will allow us to include features to make our Web site accessible to the widest range of families, including those with limited computer access or skills," says Flaura Winston, M.D., Ph.D., founder and co-scientific director of the Center and a pediatrician at the Hospital. "Our Center primarily focuses on preventing injuries in children; but, it's also important to study the emotional impact of injuries when they do occur to promote recovery and prevent long-term psychological stress."

In prospective studies of children's and parents' reactions to traffic crashes and other medical emergencies, Center researchers have found that most families experience at least a few acute stress disorder (ASD) symptoms within the first month after injury. Six months later, 1 in 6 of them still has clinically significant symptoms.

"Safety and health are among the greatest challenges families and communities face in the 21st century," said William B. Petersen, president of Verizon Pennsylvania. "Verizon is focusing on advancing technology and innovative solutions to improve efficiencies, increase access to health information and services and improve healthcare. We are proud to partner with The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia to help improve the quality of healthcare for children and families who experience trauma and come through the Hospital's doors in need of help."

Verizon Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Verizon. Its mission is to improve education, literacy, family safety and health care by supporting Verizon's commitment to deliver technology that touches life.

The Center for Injury Research and Prevention at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia is a pioneering injury research center devoted to evaluating and preventing injuries to children through research to action. The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia was founded in 1855 as the nation's first pediatric hospital. Through its long-standing commitment to providing exceptional patient care, training new generations of pediatric healthcare professionals and pioneering major research initiatives, Children's Hospital has fostered many discoveries that have benefited children worldwide. Its pediatric research program is among the largest in the country, ranking third in National Institutes of Health funding. In addition, its unique family-centered care and public service programs have brought the 430-bed hospital recognition as a leading advocate for children and adolescents. For more information, visit http://www.chop.edu.

The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
http://www.chop.edu