Pitt Pediatrics congratulates Justin A. Yu, MD, MS, assistant professor in the Paul C. Gaffney Division of Pediatric Hospital Medicine, on his receipt of a grant from FAM-NET, a research network operated by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, University of Michigan, and University of Pittsburgh.
Yu's study aims to describe the emotional well-being of family caregivers of children with medical complexity (CMC). CMC are a pediatric population characterized by multiple severe chronic health conditions, major functional limitations, significant health service needs, and high health care utilization. As most CMC live at home, their family caregivers are responsible for providing and arrange the vast majority of their care. Given the direct link between caregiver and child health, pediatric health systems should provide services and resources to enhance family caregiver well-being.
His project aims to describe self-reported levels of emotional distress and psychological resources among CMC family caregivers using Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) instruments. Specifically, his team will assess global mental health, symptoms of anxiety, depression, and anger, levels of fatigue and sleep-related impairment, plus self-efficacy, ability to control one's emotions, and sense of purpose.