Identifying Patient-Centered Outcomes for Caregivers and Children With Musculoskeletal Infections.

Area of Science:

• Pediatric infectious diseases
• Qualitative research methods
• Patient-centered care

Background:

• Musculoskeletal infections (MSKI) like osteomyelitis and septic arthritis are common in children, causing significant morbidity.
• Current care guidelines focus on clinician-defined endpoints, not patient/caregiver priorities.
• Patient-centered outcomes for pediatric MSKI have not been previously defined.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify and define patient-centered outcomes for children with MSKI.
• To understand the experiences and priorities of patients and caregivers during MSKI treatment and recovery.

Main Methods:

• A single-center prospective qualitative study involving children (6 months-18 years) hospitalized with MSKI.
• Design-research methods including patient/caregiver interviews and journal entries.
• Analysis of experiences from symptom onset through recovery and return home.

Main Results:

• A journey map highlighted key stressors for patients and caregivers.
• Identified patient-centered outcomes: caregiver mental health, managing responsibilities, and support.
• Both groups emphasized understanding treatment plans; patients prioritized physical and mental health improvement.

Conclusions:

• Pediatric MSKI management is complex, requiring a multidisciplinary approach.
• The identified patient-centered outcomes are crucial for improving holistic care.
• Further validation and development of measurement tools for these outcomes are needed.