The creation of a national coalition to target adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: a meeting report

Abstract

Milena Cioana,1,2 Devin Peterson,3 Paul Missiuna,3 Ron El-Hawary,4 Timothy Carey,5,6 Murray A Potter,7 Laura Banfield,8 Lehana Thabane,9–12 M Constantine Samaan1,2,9 1Department of Pediatrics, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada; 2Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, McMaster Children’s Hospital, Hamilton, ON, Canada; 3Division of Orthopedics, Department of Surgery, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada; 4Orthopedic Surgery Department, IWK Children’s Health Center, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada; 5Department of Pediatrics, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada; 6Department of Surgery, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada; 7Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada; 8Health Sciences Library, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada; 9Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada; 10Department of Anesthesia, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada; 11Centre for Evaluation of Medicines, St Joseph’s Health Care, Hamilton, ON, Canada; 12Biostatistics Unit, St Joseph’s Healthcare-Hamilton, Hamilton, ON, Canada Abstract: In this report, we document the discussions and recommendations of a national conference designed to create a coalition to tackle adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) held on June 6 and 7, 2017 in Hamilton, ON, Canada. The goal of the establishment of this coalition is to join the efforts of patients, parents, physicians, researchers and other stakeholders to identify stakeholders’ perspectives and to categorize gaps in knowledge and target further AIS research and clinical care priorities. The participants’ main priorities included focus on shared decision making regarding clinical and research priorities between the stakeholders on the clinical, research and policy sides with patients and families. In addition, improvements in the dissemination of information via digital platforms and identification of cost-effective screening strategies that may help early identification and intervention were also recognized as a priority. Commitment was reached to form a national coalition to understand the determinants of this condition and enhance patient outcomes through improved clinical care and research efforts. Keywords: adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, childhood scoliosis, coalition, pediatric

Keywords

• Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis
• childhood scoliosis
• coalition
• pediatric