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In this day and age, care of patients involved many disciplines and many health professionals. So it is important for health professionals to come together to learn about diseases and how we manage these diseases together, rather than learn in their own professional silos.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

~ Assoc Prof Kevin Tan
Senior Consultant, Neurology, National Neuroscience Institute

 

 
  
Programme >
 

Paediatrics Symposium 
Towards Tangible Advances in Paediatrics

 

 Track type: Symposium

 

 Duration: 90 minutes

 

 Location: Academia, Level 2, PSL2


 

Topic 1:


Bringing Research Innovations for the Diagnosis of Genetic Diseases

 Speaker: 
Dr Saumya S. Jamuar


 

Over the past decade, advances in genomic technologies, such as next generation sequencing (NGS), have led to an exponential increase in our understanding of the basis of genetic diseases. These technologies provide cost-effective and efficient strategies to investigate patients with genetic diseases. More recently, NGS has been successfully deployed in the clinical setting, with a reported diagnostic yield of ~25%. However, recommendations on clinical implementation of NGS are still evolving with numerous key challenges that impede the widespread use of genetics in everyday medicine. These challenges include when to order, for whom to order, what type of test to order and how to interpret and communicate the results, including incidental findings, to the patient and family. In this talk, Dr Jamuar will discuss these challenges and share our experience in bringing these research innovations into routine clinical workflow.



Topic 2:

Challenges in Achieving Tangible Advances in Paediatric Critical Care Nutrition

 Speaker: 
Dr Lee Jan Hau 
 

Malnutrition is prevalent in critically-ill children. However, providing adequate nutrition can potentially improve clinical outcomes in this vulnerable group of children. There are unique challenges within paediatric intensive care units that often impede the provision of adequate nutrition. Some of the challenges include patient heterogeneity, inherent challenges in measuring energy expenditure, and the lack of robust research in this area. However, over the past few years, advances have been made in the field of paediatric critical care nutrition. In this session, we will explore barriers, opportunities, and potential solutions in providing optimal nutritional support to critically-ill children. 


 

 

Topic 3:


Science in Advancing Paediatrics

 Speaker: Dr Yeo Joo Guan


The scientific process is key to advancing our understanding of normal biology, the development of new technological platforms for research, and changing the practice of medicine, including the field of paediatrics. 
 

These advances have led to better understanding of disease pathogenesis, improved diagnostic methodology, and the stratification of patients for personalised treatment of childhood diseases such as neonatal jaundice. In the past, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase screening has significantly reduced the incidence of kernicterus. More recently, autoimmune diseases that fail to respond to conventional therapies have been improved with biologics. These improved outcomes are all outcomes of translational research.
 

There is immense potential in translational research, as the full clinical application of  advances in the understanding of molecular and cellular biology have not been fully explored. Some examples, are variations in the human genome, RNA interference, gene editing techniques, and cellular immunology. Research has also become easier and more exciting with new science fiction like technologies.

 


 

Topic 4: 
 

Quantitative and Qualitative Methods in Education Research


 Speaker: Prof Janet Hafler


 

In this session, Prof Janet Hafler will define qualitative and quantitative research methods, and clarify some basic concepts of both methods. She will also explain their use in medical education research, and selecting the most appropriate method to answer a given research question. 
 

Qualitative and quantitative research methods are rooted in different perspectives, and are used to address different research questions. Qualitative research is gaining broader acceptance in medical education research. One reason for its relatively slow acceptance is that the basis of its intrinsic logic is generally not well understood. In this presentation, Prof Halfer will explore how you can effectively use qualitative research methods in medical education research. 
 

*Information is correct at time of update
 


 
 
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