First Clinical meeting in Developmental Paediatrics and Child Neurology

It is about two years, since we have been thinking about holding a regular clinical meeting in Developmental paediatrics and Child Neurology at the MOSC Medical College.

With Dr Hanna Angel joining as a consultant two months ago, and my colleagues taking initiatives, this happened on 2 November, 2018. Sujith, a resident in Paediatrics, currently in the department for his peripheral posting, is an academic enthusiast, who too contributed to make arrangements for the meeting. Tinu, Sally and Shanthi made all the physical arrangements and even 'managed' to offer tea and Cookie although more came for the meeting than we were ready for!

We are grateful to the dean Dr Diwakar and the Medical Superintendent, Dr. Sojan for their presence and encouragement.  The post graduate trainees in Paediatrics found the meeting insightful and academically enriching.

This was yet another small step in making our work more academically conditioned and oriented! We are in the seventh year of our clinical service. It is a good time to attempt new initiatives. In fact the inter-departmental clinical meeting at MOSC Medical College has been in suspended animation for a while!

The department has arrangement with Dr Sumitha of Ophthalmology, Dr Jacob of ENT, Dr Mathew Abraham of   Orthopaedics and Dr Nisha of psychiatry to welcome children who need their attention, on certain days of the week, which has been functioning now for a year. This has developed into a fraternal consultation facility to plan better for children who are neuro-developmentally disadvantaged. We have had considerable support from other colleagues in Paediatrics, Paediatric endocrinology, Dr Paulose and physiotherapists to evolve a reasonable academic support base. Recently Dr Anand from  Neuro-radiology has been forthcoming with considerable help in interpreting MRI of brain to co-relate clinically and with the EEG. The referrals of children from within the institution come from paediatrics, neonatology, paediatric surgery, neurology, and community medicine. We have had considerable support from the Microbiology, Electrophysiology lab and Biochemistry in optimising our services.

So it was the opportune time to bring this growing fraternal relationships into a new setting by meeting fortnightly for a clinical meeting to discuss clinical situations. This creates a forum for  exchange of information and academic consultation, which hopefully would benefit the faculty and residents in training. 

The forty five minutes we announced as the duration of the meeting, helped the clinicians to plan their schedule and participate in the meeting. Although we planned for discussing two children, we got through discussing only one child. The participation and academic input were commendable.

Dr Hanna led the presentation with input from Occupational therapist Seena, Speech therapist Shalini and psychologist Susan. Dr Anand from Neuro-radiology and Dr Sumitha from Ophthalmology opened the discussion with most valuable input, followed by other clinicians. 

As the clinical situation pertaining to a five year old child, whom we discussed,  was complex and a diagnosis is not yet forthcoming for her recurrent migrating hemiparesis, inspite of the family having consulted three other centres, the discussion helped in enlarging the scope in preventing thrombotic episodes and offering neuro-protective support for the child. Dr Hanna and Susan have been in touch with the family. 

This was a good occasion for us to feel more connected with many clinicians and nurses who have collaborated with us and convey goodwill towards us. I feel grateful and supported! It is a also a sign to me of the progress we are making for transition of the leadership in the department, now that I have formally retired!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)