PANDAS Physicians Network’s Impact and Actions of 2017
PANDAS Physicians Network (PPN)’s mission is to maintain the industry standard PPN Guidelines for Diagnostics and Therapeutics, foster continuous education and communication within the multi-disciplinary medical community and to sponsor research for developing diagnostic tests, treatment protocols and a cure for PANDAS/PANS within this generation.
In 2017, PPN’s diligent efforts reached a countless number of medical professionals from a variety of specialties. We provided new treatment guidelines, disseminated research, and listened to the medical community so we can learn what is needed by those treating PANDAS and PANS children.
Thank you for your continuing support in 2018!
Expanding PANDAS/PANS Resources for the Medical Community
AAP News Article Featuring PPN President, Dr. David Brick
One of the biggest headlines for AAP News in 2017 was the March article discussing PANDAS/PANS. This Top 10 most read story reached 65,000 physicians.
“If (a child is) properly diagnosed, treatment is usually successful,” Dr. Brick said. “A pediatrician may see a 7-year-old child who is normal at the beginning of the week and by the end of the week has severely debilitating OCD. These patients can have a significant recovery after IVIG.”
New Resource Webpages
The PPN website saw nearly a 50% increase in visitors. In order to fulfill the growing needs of the medical community, PPN publishes new resources and continuously updates information as it becomes available. In 2017, this not only included creating new webpages, but the PPN website underwent a review in order to reflect the new treatment guidelines published in the Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychophamacology.
Direct Outreach to Physicians and Medical Professionals
American Academy of Pediatrics
2017 marked PPN’s inaugural in-person exhibiting campaign at the American Academy of Pediatrics national conference. 10,500 medical professionals attended the event in Chicago. It was inspiring to see physicians from a variety of specialties approach PPN, ask questions, provide insight into what would be helpful, and thank us for being a voice they can trust. We look forward to attending the 2018 AAP conference in Florida!
Coordinated Regional Outreach
PPN had the opportunity to provide printed materials to community based groups for regional meetings and conferences. These meetings were attended by pediatricians, nurse practitioners, family physicians, and integrative medicine. Meetings included:
- Michigan Chapter American Academy of Pediatrics
- Georgia Chapter American Academy of Pediatrics
- Texas Family Physician Summit
- Northeast PANS/PANDAS Integrative Medicine Conference
Broadening the PPN Outreach
Distributing PANDAS/PANS printed resources at national conferences along with strategically placed ads allowed the medical community to learn more about the association between infections and immune mediated brain disease. Organizations reached included:
- AAP Pediatrics Journal
- National Alliance on Mental Illness
- National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners
- IL ABCD Conference (AAP local chapter) focusing on Autism, Behavioral Challenges, and Complex Medical Needs
Continuing Education and Benefits for PPN Members
JCAP DISTRIBUTION
To date, nearly 300 PPN members have been requested and received a copy of the special edition JCAP. Supplying the new PANDAS PANS treatment guidelines to the medical community will provide PANDAS/PANS patients the best possible outcome in recovering from immune-mediated brain disease.
PPN EMAIL GROUP
The PPN Email Group is a way for members to communicate and ask questions to their peers. PPN understands physicians and medical professionals have busy practices. This service streamlines communications by allowing all actions to take place right from email.
PPN MEMBER WEBPAGE
The PPN member webpage is a password protected page open to approved PPN members. This is a quick reference page for the most current research, announcements, information on how to obtain PPN membership benefits, and more.
Patient Resource Development
PPN PRACTITIONER DIRECTORY
PPN connected families with physicians and medical professionals with the successful new PPN Practitioner Directory. Since launching the directory in May, nearly 6,000 users have accessed the informational resource. View the directory at www.pandasppn.org/practitioners.
INFORMATION PACK DISTRIBUTION
In honor of PANDAS/PANS Awareness Day, PPN supplied information packets to help with the clinical care of PANDAS/PANS children.
PANDAS Physicians Network Needs Your Help!
PANDAS Physicians Network knows there are many more physicians and medical professionals we must reach so children can receive the medical care they need. Please consider the tangible impact a donation could have on the life of a child suffering with PANDAS/PANS and help us reach their physician and medical team.
