Jin Peng, MD, MS, was honored for her dissertation research, “Caregiver-perceived Barriers to Return for Follow-up after Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI),” which was funded in part by an Ohio Department of Safety (ODPS) EMS grant.
Jin Peng, MD, MS, PhD candidate of epidemiology at The Ohio State University College of Public Health
Jin Peng, MD, MS, PhD candidate of epidemiology at The Ohio State University College of Public Health, received the Joseph J. Tepas Award at the 2017 Pediatric Trauma Society Annual Meeting in November. The competitive award is issued annually to recognize non-physician researchers who demonstrate excellence in pediatric trauma research.
Peng was honored for her dissertation research, “Caregiver-perceived Barriers to Return for Follow-up after Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI),” which was funded in part by an Ohio Department of Safety (ODPS) EMS grant.
The study found that caregivers face significant barriers receiving follow-up care for children who suffer from TBI. The top three barriers are: “no need,” “schedule conflicts” and “lack of resources.” The study highlights the importance of removing the barriers and improving long-term outcomes for the patients.
"Jin’s research has significant implications for clinical practice and scientific understanding of TBI rehabilitation barriers in children." — Henry Xiang, MD, MPH, PhD
“Children with TBI often sustain neuropsychological symptoms long after hospital discharge,” Peng said. “Follow-up visits are critical in treating those symptoms to improve the quality of life for children with TBI. To improve TBI follow-up adherence, providers may need to educate families, coordinate appointments and provide enabling resources.”
Peng received guidance from her adviser and principal investigator of the ODPS EMS grant, Henry Xiang, MD, MPH, PhD, director of the Center for Pediatric Trauma Research and director of Research Core of the Center for Injury Research and Policy at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, professor of Medicine at The Ohio State University College of Medicine, affiliate faculty at the College of Public Health.
“I congratulate Jin for another outstanding achievement,” Xiang said. “Jin’s research has significant implications for clinical practice and scientific understanding of TBI rehabilitation barriers in children.”
With Xiang’s support, Peng has published nine peer reviewed papers, and received two grants and one fellowship. She has successfully established a journal club at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, and has taught statistical analysis systems to graduate students at the College of Public Health.
“I am honored to receive this award,” Peng said. “I would like to thank my adviser, Dr. Henry Xiang, for guiding and supporting me over the years. Without him, I would not get to where I am today. He has set an example of excellence as a researcher, mentor and a role model.”
