PRECISION MEDICINE IN AUTISM
We were eager to put in place comprehensive strategies to address these challenges, and here we outline several of our efforts for this purpose within quality improvement, education and clinical care informed by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research. This has only been possible by working together with families, advocates, clinicians, educators, scientists, and hospital administration.
IMPLEMENTATION
SCIENCE
Education
We have recently launched a new specialty track in autism spectrum disorders within the child and adolescent psychiatry fellowship at Brown University and Bradley Hospital. Through this program, we aim to bolster expertise in autism spectrum disorders for clinicians and researchers, who will then serve as a resource for the ASD community nationwide, building on our previous education initiatives in ASD such as coursework for psychiatry residents, child psychiatry fellows, psychology interns and residents, social workers, and the general public. We had the privilege of receiving our inaugural ASD track fellow this year, Dr. Julia Katz
Quality Improvement
Now on its sixth year, the genomic psychiatry quality improvement project at Bradley Hospital, spearheaded by Dr. Moreno De Luca in close collaboration with the Verrecchia Clinic for Children with Autism and Developmental Disabilities, and the Child Psychiatry Fellowship program at Brown University and Bradley Hospital, has achieved important milestones in improving access to genomic information for ASD families. Successes include:
Creation of Genetic Counseling Service
Creation of Genomic Psychiatry Consultation Service
Procurement of administrative support to help with the preauthorization process for genetic testing
Direct negotiation with multiple genetic testing companies to obtain the most competitive alternative
Implementation of genetic testing as part of the inpatient hospitalization protocol for patients on the spectrum receiving their care at Bradley Hospital
We have been working hard on next steps, and can’t wait to update you on what’s to come!