Browsing by Author "Hardman, Sara"
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Item 153. AYA Subspecialty Patient and Parent Views on COVID-19 Vaccination(Elsevier, 2022) Hardman, Sara; Jacob, Seethal A.; Coven, Scott L.; Rahim, Mahvish Q.; Miller, Meagan E.; Zimet, Gregory D.; Meagher, Carolyn G.; Ott, Mary A.; Pediatrics, School of MedicinePurpose: Adolescents/young adults (AYA) with hematologic and oncologic (heme-onc) conditions are important targets for vaccine outreach because they are at increased risk for complications from COVID-19. AYA patients may also need additional support, as they are transitioning from parent to independent vaccine decision-making. AYA with sickle cell disease (SCD) are of particular concern because a high proportion are African American and experience structural racism in addition to their illness. Our objective was to examine AYA and parent attitudes regarding the COVID-19 vaccine among heme-onc populations. Methods: As part of a larger IRB-approved study, we recruited vaccine decision-makers in pediatric SCD and oncology survivor clinics, including parents of adolescents under 18 years (n=35), AYA patients 18-21 years old (n=21), and parents of AYA patients 18-21 years old (n=14). After informed consent, participants completed a demographic survey and a semi-structured interview regarding their vaccine decision-making process. Example questions included “What do you see as the benefits of the COVID-19 vaccine?” and “What are your concerns about the COVID-19 vaccine?”. Saturation was reached. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using thematic analysis. Codes were developed from the literature and early interviews. Examples included “attitudes against vaccine,” “medical mistrust,” “hesitancy,” “vaccine side effects,” and “vaccine interactions with disease process.” Fisher exact statistical tests were performed to analyze quantitative data. Results: In SCD clinic, we recruited 31 index patients (mean age: 15.1±3.5 years; 30 African American and 1 Other or Mixed), yielding 11 AYA and 26 parent interviews. In survivor clinic, we recruited 26 index patients (mean age: 16.0±3.4 years; 20 White, 2 Hispanic or Latinx; 2 Other or Mixed, 1 African American, and 1 Asian), yielding 10 AYA and 23 parent interviews. Out of the total index patients, 8 had already received the vaccine, 13 were planning to receive it, 27 were considering it, and 9 had declined it. There was no clear relationship between patients’ diagnosis (SCD or cancer) and their vaccine decisions nor between the index patient’s age (under or over 18) and their vaccine decisions. A high proportion of participants saw benefits to vaccination, such as lowering personal risk, community benefits of preventing the spread of COVID-19, and a possible return to “normal.” However, many AYA and parent participants also had concerns toward the vaccine, including concerns about short-term side effects and the potential for unknown, long-term effects. Concerns were also voiced about how rapidly the vaccine was developed and misconceptions about the vaccine were common, namely the vaccine causing infertility or increasing one’s susceptibility to contracting COVID-19. Medical mistrust toward either the vaccine or providers was explicitly stated by several participants, the majority of whom were from minoritized groups. Conclusions: COVID-19 vaccines have the potential to protect medically and socially vulnerable AYA, however patient and parent concerns, misconceptions, and mistrust are still prevalent. These data provide insights into the design and implementation of vaccine counseling interviews for AYA subspecialty patients and families.Item "But I could be allergic!" Food Allergies and Eating Disorders a Dangerous Duo.(2021-03) Harding, Michael; Alcaide, Doriann; Hardman, Sara; Rohr-Kirchgraber, TheresaFor many patients with eating disorders (ED) a diagnosis of food allergies can complicate treatment and allow the patients to avoid appropriate nutrition. Food allergy testing is cost intensive, often does not contribute to changing the plan of care for a patient, and can even lead to misdiagnosis. A thorough history is indispensable in assessing a patient for food allergies and ultimately an oral food challenge is the gold standard for the diagnosis. There may be psychological benefit to knowing the outcome of a food allergy test if this is having a significant impact on the patient’s quality of life. This comprehensive clinical assessment by a physician may bypass some of the added stress and financial burden brought on by formalized food allergy testing. A 35 yo woman with anorexia nervosa (AN) presents with concerns about bloating, inflammation and the influence of food allergies on her overall health. She has had AN for 3 years and her lowest Body Mass Index (BMI) was 13. With treatment it has improved to 17. However, she has been reading about how food allergies can affect her body and is asking for food allergy testing. A key role of healthcare is to provide accurate diagnoses with the combination of clinical reasoning and diagnostic testing. The US healthcare system is often an expensive model for patients and the financial burden of food allergy testing must be considered with the impact on the treatment plan. It is imperative that the healthcare model continue to assess the necessity of food allergy testing in order to provide the best care to patients while still being mindful of the financial cost and how results can complicate care, especially in patients with ED. Patients with ED frequently have multiple rules about how and what to eat, and the ED can use the results of allergy testing to further limit their intake. This can lead to disastrous effects. Patients with eating disorders do not need another reason not to eat.Item Postpartum Hepatic Infarction in Antiphospholipid Syndrome Patients(2021-03) Joseph, Sophia; Hardman, Sara; Zeh, Janie; Sivamohan, Anjali; Mehta, RakeshCASE: Our patient is a 31-year-old woman with a complicated past medical history of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) and Antiphospholipid Ayndrome (APS). She originally presented several years ago when she was found to have Libman-Sacks endocarditis. She was diagnosed with SLE and APS at the time and was subsequently anticoagulated with warfarin. When she became pregnant, warfarin was discontinued and she was managed with a low molecular weight heparin (LMWH). She was continued on LMWH post-partum, but was noncompliant. For a few weeks following delivery, she presented to the hospital on several occasions with acute right upper quadrant pain. CT imaging confirmed several hepatic infarcts and she was treated with steroids, fondaparinux, and plaquenil. CONCLUSIONS: APS poses several risks during and after pregnancy due to susceptibility to venous and arterial thrombosis1. There is an increased risk of thrombosis up to 12 weeks postpartum. Continuation of anticoagulation following delivery is essential in APS women who have a high baseline risk of thrombosis2. Non-compliance with medications may have contributed to this presentation. This case is unique in that hepatic infarcts rarely occur due to the dual blood supply of the liver. Moreover, the diagnosis of hepatic infarction can be difficult as it may present similarly to HELLP, possibly contributing to her multiple admissions with RUQ pain3,4. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: This case is significant because it demonstrates the rare, but life-threatening risk of postpartum hepatic infarction in APS patients. Proper postpartum management and compliance with anticoagulation medications are essential to mitigating risk. Furthermore, providers may face challenges in diagnosing hepatic infarction as it could mimic other diseases.