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Developing a paediatric healthcare research network: key learnings from the 'Starworks' child prosthetics project

Needham, A; Wheeler, G; Mills, N; Head, JS

Authors

A Needham

G Wheeler

N Mills

JS Head



Abstract

The context of child prosthetics is a complex and important area for research and innovation. Yet, like many areas of paediatric medical technology development, there are several barriers to innovating specifically for the unique needs of children (i.e., a relatively small patient population or 'market'). As such, much child prosthetics technology is developed from the downsizing of adult prosthetics, leading to suboptimal outcomes for children and young people. Since 2016, the Starworks Child Prosthetics Research Network has been exploring this space, bringing children and their families together with key opinion leaders from the NHS, clinical Academia and leading National Research Centres with capabilities in child prosthetics with the aim of increasing research across the system. Above all else, Starworks is centred on the needs of children and their families, ensuring they have an equal voice in driving the ongoing research agenda. This article will share key learnings from the creation and development of the Starworks Network that may be applicable and/or adaptable across a wider paediatric medical technology research and innovation landscape. In particular it will discuss how it addressed three key aims of; (1) Addressing child-specific issues; (2) Building a sustainable network; and (3) Fostering impactful innovation.

Citation

Needham, A., Wheeler, G., Mills, N., & Head, J. (2022). Developing a paediatric healthcare research network: key learnings from the 'Starworks' child prosthetics project. https://doi.org/10.1080/03091902.2022.2089251

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Jun 8, 2022
Publication Date Jun 28, 2022
Deposit Date Sep 6, 2022
Journal Journal of medical engineering & technology
Print ISSN 1464-522x
Volume 46
Issue 6
Pages 497-505
DOI https://doi.org/10.1080/03091902.2022.2089251
Publisher URL https://doi.org/10.1080/03091902.2022.2089251


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