The Pediatric Infection Connection endeavors to provide timely information to pediatric healthcare providers about trends and new developments in pediatric infections. Children, families, and the non-medical public also may find the content useful. The site can be accessed from the Montgomery County (Maryland) Pediatric Society website.
First, a little bit about me. I am a pediatric infectious diseases physician and a Professor Emeritus of Pediatrics at the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences in Washington, DC. I retired from my active clinical practice at Children's National Hospital on June 30, 2022 but then was recalled a few months later to help with some new telehealth initiatives at Children's National. This blog represents my personal opinions and is not an official voice for either CNH or GWU.
In addition to my clinical infectious diseases practice, I have participated in both basic (bench) and clinical research in infectious diseases as well as practicing my other passions of medical education and evidence-based medicine. Most recently I oversaw a COVID-19 vaccine trial for young children at CNH. My education travels have led me to leadership positions in undergraduate, graduate, and continuing medical education. I hold a master's degree in educational technology (distance learning). With regard to EBM, I participated for many years as an editor with the American Academy of Pediatrics publication AAP Grand Rounds. Also I hosted a blog called "Evidence eMended" targeted at helping front line clinicians understand how to interpret original medical studies and apply new advances in their practices. For many years I taught a graduate school course in EBM at the GWU Graduate School of Education.
I have realized that media releases, social media postings, press reports, and medical publications themselves often obscure understanding of how to apply the results of new research. This has only worsened in our polarized society in the US. In this blog I will try to emphasize real-world application of new research and get rid of the "hype." I hope I will be successful and, as always, welcome comments and suggestions.