Post-Operative Decline in Children with Severe Neurological Impairment
Lead Investigators
Dr. Hal Siden and Dr. Liisa Holsti
Co-Investigators and Collaborators
Dr. Kishore Mulpuri, Dr. Emily Schaeffer, Maria Juricic, Stacey Miller, Anne-Mette Hermansen
About the Project
Children with severe neurologic impairment regularly require surgery to manage their underlying conditions. Anecdotal evidence suggests that children with severe neurological impairment experience unexpected and persistent postoperative functional changes long after the postoperative recovery period. However, evidence from the perspective of caregivers is limited. In this study we explore the postoperative recovery process for children with severe neurological impairments through the lens of their caregivers. Rich interviews have uncovered themes beyond the functional changes children have experienced post-surgery, for instance caregivers feeling a lack of preparedness when helping their children through recovery and their need for support.