How can we measure the quality of life in children and adolescents with chronic disease? Major progress in the diagnosis and treatment of severe and chronic disease has led to an increased number of children and their families having to adapt and cope with the impact of disease, survival, and the cost of treatment. Health professionals have responded to this by developing a diversity of instruments for measuring quality of life for use in paediatrics, psychology and public health. This book introduces the reader to the emerging field of quality of life assessment and provides a comprehensive overview of the conceptual and methodological issues concerning quality of life in child and adolescent illness. Particular emphasis is provided on current efforts to measure the impact of specific chronic conditions on different domains of child functioning. Future directions are outlined for the development of appropriate instruments for measuring quality of life in children and adolescents. Quality of Life in Child and Adolescent Illness is intended for psychologists, paediatricians, paediatric nurses, child psychiatrists, public health professionals, researchers and other interested readers from the undergraduate to the working professional.

How can we measure the quality of life in children and adolescents with chronic disease? Major progress in the diagnosis and treatment of severe and chronic disease has led to an increased number of children and their families having to adapt and cope with the impact of disease, survival, and the cost of treatment. Health professionals have responded to this by developing a diversity of instruments for measuring quality of life for use in paediatrics, psychology and public health. This book introduces the reader to the emerging field of quality of life assessment and provides a comprehensive overview of the conceptual and methodological issues concerning quality of life in child and adolescent illness. Particular emphasis is provided on current efforts to measure the impact of specific chronic conditions on different domains of child functioning. Future directions are outlined for the development of appropriate instruments for measuring quality of life in children and adolescents. Quality of Life in Child and Adolescent Illness is intended for psychologists, paediatricians, paediatric nurses, child psychiatrists, public health professionals, researchers and other interested readers from the undergraduate to the working professional.

This volume's purpose is to describe concepts and methods concerning assessment of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in children and adolescents with a special focus on chronic health conditions. The impetus for this book came from a recognition of the increasing importance of HRQOL assessments in the evaluation of treatment outcomes and the need to increase the utilization of HRQOL assessments in research and clinical applications with a range of pediatric populations. The need to develop a volume that describes new research and clinical applications concerning this topic stemmed from several recent developments. There is a continuing need for evaluations of the efficacy of medical treatments for children and adolescents, including those with chronic health conditions. To address these critical unmet needs in the field of HRQOL assessment, and to advance scientific methods and clinical applications in this field, a conference was held at Case Western Reserve University. The conference set out to summarize current information concerning the development and implementation of measures of HRQOL assessment, to identify and consider key conceptual and methodological issues in research concerning the measurement of HRQOL, and to recommend priorities to advance the state-of-the-art in research and clinical applications of QOL assessment in children and adolescents with chronic health conditions. This volume summarizes and synthesizes the information that was presented by the conference participants in a series of lively discussions and chapters that were based on the presentations.

Increasing public investments in health care services for low-income and special needs children and adolescents in the United States have raised questions about whether these efforts improve their health outcomes. Yet it is difficult to assess the general health status and health care quality for younger populations, especially those at risk of poor health outcomes, because the United States has no national information system that can provide timely, comprehensive, and reliable indicators in these areas for children and adolescents. Without such a system in place, it is difficult to know whether and how selected health care initiatives and programs contribute to children's health status. Child and Adolescent Health and Health Care Quality identifies key advances in the development of pediatric health and health care quality measures, examines the capacity of existing federal data sets to support these measures, and considers related research activities focused on the development of new measures to address current gaps. This book posits the need for a comprehensive strategy to make better use of existing data, to integrate different data sources, and to develop new data sources and collection methods for unique populations. Child and Adolescent Health and Health Care Quality looks closely at three areas: the nature, scope, and quality of existing data sources; gaps in measurement areas; and methodological areas that deserve attention. Child and Adolescent Health and Health Care Quality makes recommendations for improving and strengthening the timeliness, quality, public transparency, and accessibility of information on child health and health care quality. This book will be a vital resource for health officials at the local, state, and national levels, as well as private and public health care organizations and researchers.

This title is a must-read for anyone interested in deepening their understanding of the behaviours of children and adolescents. It focuses on measurement issues related to the subjective well-being of children and adolescents as opposed to current objective measurements. The volume contains eight chapters that represent a significant advancement in our understanding of life satisfaction in specific age groups, behavioural context, and cultures. The first chapter provides a synthesis of assessment research directed at children and youth. The subsequent chapters offer an in-depth look at subpopulations of youth and specific behaviours. Together the chapters demonstrate the importance of considering the role of life satisfaction across age groups and situations. This volume will be of interest to researchers in government and academia, social psychologists, those working in the prevention sciences, and others who focus on assessing the quality of life and well-being of children and adolescents.

Children and Their Families: The Continuum of Care provides a unique interdisciplinary perspective that underscores the nurse's role in planning, coordinating, and working with all members of a pediatric health care team. It shows students how to make critical judgments and assessments to manage the care of children in a variety of community settings, including homes, schools, and medical centers. From infancy through adolescence, this text thoroughly covers the health promotion, surveillance, and maintenance needs of children. In this edition, threaded case studies follow a community of pediatric clients and continue throughout the chapter to show the interrelated dynamics of pediatric nursing care. A companion Website includes journal articles, NCLEX®-style chapter review questions, a Spanish-English audio glossary, Watch and Learn videos, a fluids and electrolytes tutorial, and much more.

Adolescence is typically fraught with problems, even under optimal conditions. And when chronic illness is added to the picture, medical and related social issues can complicate, and even disrupt, the course of development. The first text geared toward the integrated care setting, Behavioral Approaches to Chronic Disease in Adolescence offers clinicians an evidence-based guide to helping their young clients manage their chronic conditions and treating the psychosocial effects—from school problems and stigma to noncompliance and depression—that frequently follow diagnosis. Expert contributors present up-to-date information on epidemiology, symptoms, comorbid psychosocial problems, and treatment options for a variety of common illnesses, arranged to foster effective interventions for adolescents and efficient collaboration with other care providers in the team. Coverage is comprehensive, authoritative, and accessible, ensuring best practice while respecting each client’s individuality: Empirically-based treatment guidelines for illnesses commonly found in youth, including Type 1 and 2 diabetes, asthma, cancer, obesity, and chronic pain. Overview of the physiology of adolescence, particularly as it may be affected by medical conditions, and of adolescent brain development. Latest findings on the role of families in teens’ adjustment to illness and treatment. Cultural considerations affecting ethnically diverse clients and their families. Detailed discussions of ethical issues relevant to treating chronically ill young people, and of controversies involving pharmacotherapy with this population. Chapters contain useful handouts for clinicians and clients. Taking Care of the Practitioner” chapter with helpful strategies for avoiding burnout. Its emphasis on specific practical information makes Behavioral Approaches to Chronic Disease in Adolescence a “go-to” reference for health psychologists, child and adolescent mental health practitioners, pediatricians and family practitioners, and clinical social workers.

This 8th Edition of Moss and Adams' Heart Disease in Infants, Children, and Adolescents: Including the Fetus and Young Adult, provides updated and useful information from leading experts in pediatric cardiology. Added chapters and a companion web site that includes the full text with bonus question and answer sections make this Moss and Adams’ edition a valuable resource for those who care for infants, children, adolescents, young adults, and fetuses with heart disease. Features: · Access to online questions similar to those on the pediatric cardiology board examination to prepare you for certification or recertification · Leading international experts provide state-of-the-art diagnostic and interventional techniques to keep you abreast of the latest advances in treatment of young patients · Chapters on quality of life, quality and safety, pharmacology, and research design add to this well-respected text

Over recent decades, tremendous advances in the prevention, medical treatment, and quality of life issues in children and adolescents surviving cancer have spawned a host of research on pediatric psychosocial oncology. This important volume fulfills the clear need for an up-to-date, comprehensive handbook for practitioners that delineates the most recent research in the field--the first of its kind in over a decade. Over 60 renowned authors have been assembled to provide a thorough presentation of the state-of-the art research and literature, with topics including: -Neuropsychological effects of chemotherapy and radiation therapy -Bone marrow transplantation -Important issues about quality of life during and following treatment -Collaborative research among child-focused psychologists -Standards of psychological care for children and adolescents -Stress and coping in the pediatric cancer experience -The role of family and peer relationships The Comprehensive Handbook of Childhood Cancer and Sickle Cell Disease represents both multidisciplinary and international efforts, an alliance between physicians and parents, and a combination of research and service. With a wealth of information of great interest to patients and their families, this volume will also be a welcome resource to the psychologists, psychiatrists, pediatricians, oncologists, nurses, and social workers who confront these issues as they help children and their families through the treatment, recovery, and grieving processes.

There has been a major shift in the way we conceptualize and provide services to children and adolescents with mental health needs. We are moving away from the traditional disorder-oriented model of treatment to a child-centered, family-focused service delivery system that mandates mental health services in the context of the child's family and social ecology. This new system of care has spawned many variations of the model, including wraparound services, multisystemic treatment (MST), futures planning, and person-centred planning. As systems of care are different across countries and cultures, it is imperative that we share our knowledge and make explicit the lessons we have learned in our attempts to provide services to children and adolescents which focus on improving their quality of life rather than merely treating their psychiatric disorders and psychological problems. There is an urgent need to evaluate the various treatments being offered to children and adolescents with mental health needs. Empirical date on outcomes will determine the funding and delivery of services. As such, the latest research on treatment outcomes needs to be disseminated so that new and validated treatment methods can be implemented rapidly.