Childhood Chronic Illness: Impact on Family Development

1 credits · Graduate

PEDS 281 (Childhood Chronic Illness: Impact on Family Development) is a course in which first-year medical and PA students ("Pals") are each paired with a pediatric patient living with chronic illness. It is a year-long commitment students make to regularly meet with their assigned patient as they bond over various activities and foster a meaningful relationship. The patients and their families enjoy the companionship of their Pal, while the MD/PA students learn firsthand about the social, psychological and emotional aspects of living with a chronic illness during childhood. The course is supplemented by didactic sessions to introduce the students to topics such as pediatric chronic diseases, resources in and outside the hospital system that serve to support pediatric patients, and various sub-specialties that can be pursued within pediatrics. Prerequisite: Ability to enroll in 3 consecutive quarters (Fall 2026, Winter 2027, Spring 2027) of the course.