Pediatric Rheumatology Online Journal → August 2003 → Health-Care Delivery → Abstract #177

THE PEDS GROUP: A REGIONAL COOPERATIVE ALLIANCE OF PEDIATRIC RHEUMATOLOGY CENTERS

D. P. Goldsmith,¹ B. H. Athreya,² C. D. Rose',² R. Q. Cron,³ T. H. Finkel,³ D. D. Sherry,³ L. H. Brent,⁴ B. P. Groh,⁵ B. E. Ostrov.⁵

¹Section of Rheumatology, St. Christopher's Hosp for Children/Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA; ²Section of Rheumatology, AI Dupont Hospital for Children, Wilmington, DE; ³Section of Rheumatology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA; ⁴Section of Rheumatology, Albert Einstein Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA; ⁵Section of Rheumatology, Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA

Eastern and Central Pennsylvania and Delaware encompass an estimated population of 8 million children with specialized pediatric care primarily offerred at 4 major facilities; AI Dupont Hospital for Children, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia; Hershey Medical Center, and St. Christopher's Hospital for Children.
In 1993 pediatric rheumatologist(s) from each institution initiated a cooperative alliance with the intent being to discuss diagnostic dilemmas, share clinical and epidemiologic information, develop collaborative research and promote lay and professional educational activities in the region. The primary forum was a late afternoon/early evening meeting every 3 months at a central location. There was never and still is not any dedicated charter, budget, or formal link to a parent organization.
From 9/93 through 11/02 the group has met 34 times, discussed 166 cases, published 7 abstracts and 8 articles, sponsored a statewide educational program, advocated for children with rheumatic diseases within each local chapter of the Arthritis Foundation (AF), served a major role in the genesis of an Arthritis Foundation sponsored summer camp for children, and helped establish local HMO pediatric guidelines for the use of biologics. A compendium of selected case discussions is being prepared for publication.
We feel that this collaborative approach among regional pediatric rheumatology centers can serve as a model for similar partnerships elsewhere.