Research Spotlights

  • Gaps in the Transition from Pediatric to Adult Health Care for Adolescents and Young Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Special Health Care Needs: Electronic Medical Record Findings

    Tanner Quiggle, a Rural Scholars Fellow in the WVU Department of Pediatrics, worked with Dr. Lesley Cottrell through the Primary Care Training Care Training and Education grant. Their work focused on the transition from pediatricians to adult providers for patients with Autism Spectrum Disorders and related conditions.

    This study looked at health care transition outcomes for adolescents and adults aged 16 years and older with ASD who received care within the WVU Medicine health system between 2021 and 2025. Using electronic medical record (EMR) data, it explored the prevalence of pediatric versus adult primary care providers. It also identified factors linked to having an age-appropriate provider and compared the results with past research.

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  • Researching neonatal abstinence syndrome using a two-generational approach

    Ellis Walker, an undergraduate student at WVU pursuing a bachelor's degree in psychology, worked with the IMPACT WV team to analyze data from the three demonstration sites to summarize findings from the first round of research initiatives.

    Over the last five years, the IMPACT WV program has tested and implemented models of care to strengthen services for West Virginia families affected by neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS). The program has found that the most effective care model happens when patient navigation begins at the birthing hospital. Patient navigators are providing collaborative services with the WVU Medicine Children’s NAS Follow-Up Clinic and continue to coordinate care for multi-generational families.

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  • Understanding the needs of persons with traumatic brain injury in West Virginia

    Dr. Steven Wheeler and Dr. Amanda Acord-Vira are leading a team to conduct a needs assessment for persons with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and their caregivers in West Virginia. TBI program manager Cortland Nesley and WVU occupational therapy doctoral student Megan Bruce (pictured) will provide a public update on the assessment in June 2024.

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