Faculty members publish article in Journal of Pain and Symptom Management

When NEOMED Department of Pediatrics faculty member Cassandra Hirsh, D.O., became an attending physician at Akron Children's Hospital, her research interest came in the form of delivering bad news to pediatric patients and their families. After more than 11 years of a humanities based research project, Dr. Hirsh, along with fellow NEOMED Faculty Members Sarah Freibert, M.D., Daniel Grossoehme, D.Min., M.S., Brian Harrell, M.A., former Graduate Student Gwendolyn Richner, M.P.H., and ACH biostatician, Miraides Brown, Ph.D., have published, "Pediatric Palliative Care Simulation Improves Resident Learning Outcomes: An 11-Year Review" in the Journal of Pain and Symptom Management.

The article discusses the implementation and outcomes of a pediatric palliative care simulation program at Akron Children’s Hospital. Over 11 years, the program used simulations involving bereaved parent-actors to help general pediatrics residents and palliative care fellows practice difficult conversations about end-of-life care. The study found significant improvements in residents' communication skills and comfort levels, particularly in using clear language, showing empathy, and addressing parents' questions. The program highlights the value of simulation in medical education, especially for sensitive topics like palliative care, and suggests that such training can be effectively implemented with limited resources.

Dr. Hirsh is the interim director of the Haslinger Family Pediatric Palliative Care Center at Akron Children's Hospital. Dr. Hirsh believes that humanities research is crucial to creating transformational leaders at NEOMED and works to promote humanities research at the University.

Links to the article can be obtained by emailing Brian Harrell in the Writing Center.