Katharine Press Callahan, MD, is a neonatology fellow at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Her research focuses on how neonatologists use genetic information to make medical decisions and conceptualize patients’ futures. This work emerges at the intersection of her training as a neonatologist and ethicist and longstanding interest in the integration of genetic information into complex medical practice. During medical school, she completed projects to integrate genetics into child psychiatry and medical school education. In residency, she began to explore the limitations of genetic prognostication through the lens of Down syndrome, partnered with Rachel Adams, parent of a child with Down syndrome. Through her neonatology training, she has witnessed firsthand both the benefits and potential confusion and harms that can result from genetic testing in this context. The work she will present empirically demonstrates the risks of inadequately supported genetic testing for neonates. Under the mentorship of Chris Feudtner, she conducted a split sample psychological experiment demonstrating that neonatologists applied genetic findings, including uncertain genetic findings or those heralding neurodevelopmental impairment, in biased and problematic ways. During fellowship, she has completed several other projects relevant to the ethics and implications of genetic testing in neonates: (1) a mixed methods national survey revealing that neonatologists need more support in using genetic tests and counseling families about results (2) a scoping review of how we define utility of genomic medicine for neonates and (3) an analysis inter-hospital variation in genetic testing using the PHIS database. She is currently preparing a K proposal focused on how neonatologists manage the uncertainty of genetic information.
Learning Objectives:
- Explain the importance of genetic information in the NICU
- List potential pitfalls that may lead neonatologists to misapply genetic information
- Contrast the strengths and limitations of a randomized, controlled psychological experiment
Speaker:
- Katharine Press Callahan, MD
This seminar was delivered as a Pediatric Grand Rounds Lecture at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, on May 25, 2022.
Content Disclaimer
The Terms of Use and Privacy Policy set forth on the website of The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia apply to any and all uses of and access to this site and the content found here.
The work presented in the presentations, videos, and other content on this site (“Presentations”) includes publicly available medical evidence, a consensus of medical practitioners, and/or opinions of individual practitioners that may differ from consensus opinions. These Presentations are intended only to provide general information and need to be adapted for each specific patient based on the practitioner’s professional judgment, consideration of any unique circumstances, the needs of each patient and their family, the availability of various resources at the health care institution where the patient is located, and other factors. The Presentations are not intended to constitute medical advice or treatment, nor should they be relied upon as such. The Presentations are not intended to create a doctor-patient relationship between/among The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, its physicians and the individual patients in question. The information contained in these Presentations are general in nature, and do not and are not intended to refer to specific patients.
CHOP, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Foundation and its or their affiliates, the authors, presenters, practitioners, editors, and others associated with the creation of the Presentations (“CHOP”) are not responsible for errors or omissions in the Presentations; for any outcomes a patient might experience where a clinician reviewed one or more such Presentations in connection with providing care for that patient; and/or for any and all third party content on the site or in the Presentations. CHOP makes no warranty, expressed or implied, with respect to the currency, completeness, applicability or accuracy of the Presentations. Application of the information in or to a particular situation remains the professional responsibility of the practitioner who is directly treating the patient.
To the extent that the Presentations include information regarding drug dosing, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the viewer should not rely on the Presentation content, but rather is urged to check the package insert for each drug for indications, dosage, warnings and precautions.
Some drugs and medical devices presented in the Presentations have United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance for limited use in restricted research settings. It is the responsibility of the practitioner to ascertain the FDA status of each drug or device planned for use in their clinical practice.
You shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless CHOP, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Foundation, and its/their current and former employees, officers, and agents, trustees, and their respective successors, heirs and assigns (“Indemnitees”) against any claims, liability, damage, loss or expenses (including attorneys’ fees and expenses of litigation) in connection with any claims, suits, actions, demands or judgments arising directly or indirectly out of your reference to or use of the Presentations.
The Presentations are protected by copyright laws and in some cases patent laws, and all rights are reserved under such laws. No part of the Presentations may be reproduced in any form by any means, or utilized in any other way, absent prior written permission from the copyright owner.
By starting this module, you agree to our Content Disclaimer and Terms of Service.
Course Includes
- 1 Lesson
- Course Certificate