Improving the Quality of Life for Children with Atopic Dermatitis

The proposed dermatology research fellowship entitled “Improving the Quality of Life for Children with Atopic Dermatitis” has two main objectives: i) to support the career of a promising young future dermatologist-researcher with a focus on inflammatory skin disease; and ii) to promote research that contributes to our understanding of atopic dermatitis with an emphasis on improving patient care. This non-ACGME fellowship not only teaches the fellow the joys and rigors of performing clinical research in children with AD, but importantly immerses the fellow in an unparalleled environment for didactics and mentorship within the top-rated dermatology department at Northwestern. The fellow is expected to spend at least 80% immersed in two investigator-initiated clinical research activities: i) a patient-reported outcomes project that tests newly developed pediatric PROMIS tools; and ii) a biomarkers project for developing non-invasive assessments to track and predict course and response of AD in children.Training is supported by regular, formal meetings with 4 leaders in clinical research (Drs. Paller, the primary mentor; Dr. Silverberg, expert of AD in adults, epidemiology, statistics, and outcomes measurements; and Drs. West and Rangel, directors of our Clinical Trials Unit), as well as weekly working group meetings. The fellow has a myriad of opportunities for learning, presentations and writing; receives formal feedback twice yearly based on 360 evaluations and direct observations to promote performance improvement; is a valued member of a highly cohesive research team; provides feedback twice yearly for programmatic improvement; has the opportunity to teach and develop leadership skills; and receives career counseling. Publications after the 1-2 years based on the research are a requirement, and the fellow is expected to advance to further training towards career goals.