Development and Assessment of an Abbreviated Acupuncture Curriculum for Pediatricians.

OBJECTIVE: Acupuncture has been shown to improve pain and other health outcomes in children and is well tolerated. However, use of acupuncture by pediatric medical providers is rare, in part due to the cost and time associated with formal training. We aimed to develop an abbreviated acupuncture curriculum and assess its impact and acceptability with academic pediatricians. METHODS: In this pilot study, pediatricians received instruction in 2 acupuncture protocols for treating acute and chronic pain (Battlefield Acupuncture and Four Gates) during a 10-hour course developed by board-certified medical acupuncturists. Learning methods included an online module with videos and articles, 2 live workshops, and additional home practice. Participants completed a skills-based exam and pre- and post-tests measuring knowledge and attitudes about acupuncture treatment. RESULTS: Forty-five physicians (divided among 3 cohorts) began the acupuncture training course, and 38 (84.4%) completed all components. The course significantly increased participants' perceived efficacy of acupuncture for acute and chronic pain. Participants showed significant improvement in acupuncture knowledge. All participants agreed that the course would influence their current medical practice, and all participants felt confident utilizing basic acupuncture. Additionally, all participants indicated that they would recommend the abbreviated acupuncture curriculum to a colleague. CONCLUSIONS: Pediatricians became proficient in 2 acupuncture protocols with a 10-hour curriculum and found the format and content highly acceptable. Future plans include studying acupuncture implementation and expanding the course to other departments and institutions.

Integrative Management of Pediatric Primary Headaches.

Pediatric primary headache disorders are best treated using a comprehensive and integrative approach, due to the complex interactions between psychosocial and biological processes. Although more quality research is needed for treatment approaches to pediatric headaches, current practice management includes both pharmaceutical and nonpharmaceutical management. This article describes the integrative treatments used in a large regional pediatric headache program. Lifestyle approaches, nutraceuticals and dietary supplements, acupuncture, transcutaneous neurostimulation, relaxation, clinical hypnosis, biofeedback, and psychological services are discussed in detail for clinicians who may consider applying to their practice. [Pediatr Ann. 2019;48(6):e231-e235.].

Effect of an Asthma Guideline in 2 Pediatric Emergency Departments and an Urgent Care Center.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to evaluate ordering of albuterol via metered-dose inhaler with spacer (MDI-spacer), length of stay (LOS), and 72-hour return rates before and after publication of an internally developed pediatric asthma clinical practice guideline (CPG). METHODS: The internally developed CPG reflected national recommendations. It was explained at faculty meetings by a respected clinician and published on the intranet on February 6, 2012. We performed a retrospective study of visits from January 1, 2009, to October 31, 2014, by children aged 2 to 17 years with a primary diagnosis of asthma and discharged from a target site (2 pediatric emergency departments and 1 urgent care center). We excluded critical/emergent visits and those by patients who transferred to the emergency department/urgent care center from another facility or were admitted. We extracted data for 37 months before and 33 months after CPG implementation (post-CPG) using a single electronic health record system. RESULTS: Albuterol delivery via MDI-spacer increased by 33.95% (P < 0.0001) during 1-month post-CPG implementation with no significant subsequent decrease. An unexpected decline was noted for median LOS before CPG implementation (-1.24 minutes; P < 0.0001). For MDI-spacer-treated patients post-CPG, decreased median LOS was maintained and there was decreased variability of the median LOS (P < 0.001). For nebulizer-treated patients post-CPG, median LOS increased (.95 minutes; P = 0.033). No change was observed for 72-hour return rates. CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of an asthma CPG increased ordering of albuterol via MDI-spacer. The increase was sustained over time in all study sites. Decreased variability in median LOS for MDI-spacer patients was observed post-CPG. Median LOS for those treated with MDI-spacer exclusively remained unchanged in the post-CPG period, whereas post-CPG LOS increased in those who received nebulized albuterol.