Login to Access Video or Poster Abstract: MP76-15
Sources of Funding: None

Introduction

Surgical Outcomes Center for Kids (SOCKs) was born out of a need to make research infrastructure available to pediatric surgeon scientists with an interest in improving clinical care using evidenced-based medicine and evaluating patient-centered outcomes. Evolution and impact of our multi-disciplinary, trans-institutional, and multi-institutional research center on our Pediatric Urology Department is described here.

Methods

The overarching goal of SOCKs is to assess surgical and patient-centered outcomes that can inform future clinical decision making, identifying standards of excellence that can potentially improve resource utilization for the healthcare system. This research infrastructure gives academically-minded clinicians the ability to maintain their level of clinical productivity while establishing an active research agenda. Through internal and external funding, SOCKs supports personnel, referred to as research extenders, used to facilitate clinical research for our surgeon-scientists. These individuals oversee all aspects of the research process from hypothesis generation, data analysis and dissemination of results, allowing the busy clinician to successfully produce relevant works that can be disseminated through national podium talks and peer-reviewed publications.

Results

Still in infancy, pediatric urologic research has grown from 3 to 16 studies, supporting 4 research fellows, resulting in 15 abstracts (many in manuscript development), and a national clinical research award. Our center has allowed for seamless integration of research into the day-to-day clinical world without disruption. We have seen a multitude of successes since inception including 1) capturing quality of life data to better inform treatment decision making, 2) understanding the variation in interpretation of urodynamics across institutions, 3) initiating prospective patient registries allowing for better evaluation of clinical outcomes, 4) utilizing implementation science methodology to better understand the value of biofeedback therapy, and 5) reducing resource utilization through the development of multi-disciplinary imaging protocols.

Conclusions

The SOCKs model was created in response to the needs of our surgeon scientists to be more academically successful. This program has created a collaborative, accessible research environment without compromising clinical productivity. Additionally, this model has proven value-added to the healthcare system and has showcased the potential to positively impact on patients.

Funding

None