Enhancing Shared Decision Making in Pediatric Dermatology: Developing and Pilot Testing a Decision Aid for Pulsed Dye Laser Treatment
Mentee
Carly Stevens, MD
Tulane University
Mentor
Carrie Coughlin, MD, MPHS
Washington University in St. Louis
Overview
The pulsed dye laser (PDL) treats dermatologic conditions such as port-wine stain birthmarks and other vascular skin lesions. Due to the benefits of early treatment, parents and guardians are typically asked to make decisions regarding the management of their infants soon after birth. Depending on the location and type of lesions, patients may require multiple session as well as sedation during the treatment. For these reasons, shared decision-making (SDM) should be part of the conversation with families of patients who may need PDL, as it allows for patient-centered discussion on care between families and clinicians. Using SDM enhances patient discussions to better guide health care decisions. This study will explore the preferences critical to the decision-making of families, patients, and clinicians. This information will guide the development of a decision-making aid, which will be tested in clinical encounters for patients and families considering PDL treatment.
Status
This project was funded through a 2024 PeDRA Emerging Investigator Research Grant.
