The purpose of the event is to recognize and provide exposure, counsel, and potential financial support (from prizes or hospital product evaluation) to accelerate the concept to clinical use and patient impact. The event also serves to encourage collaboration amongst leading pediatric healthcare organizations, financing vehicles, foundations, industry, and innovators, fostering an environment where good ideas are developed and made accessible, significantly impacting the lives of children across the country. As a result of this collaboration, our desired outcome is that leading institutions will advocate for and enable innovation in the pediatric space, helping providers, payers, patients, and families effectively tackle some of the greatest challenges in pediatric healthcare.
What we’re looking for
The pediatric collaboration at SXSW Interactive serves to identify and showcase new technologies, advocate and raise awareness for pediatric innovation, and further build an elite leadership nucleus for future opportunities. We’re looking for amazing innovations in the following categories:
Medical Devices*
Digital Health
Health Disparities (NEW for 2019)
* (NEW for 2019) In partnership with the Southwest National Pediatric Device Consortium (SWPDC.org), annual pediatric medical device awards have been added to the Impact Pediatric Health Pitch competition. Up to $100,000 in awards are available to support the advancement and commercialization of novel pediatric medical devices. Eligible devices must be FDA-regulated medical devices with a pediatric indication (0 – 21 years of age) Questions can be directed to Chester Koh, MD or Kara Toman, MPH, at SouthwestPDC@BCM.edu
Health Disparities and Equity (NEW for 2019)
Disparities in health outcomes can be traced to systemic conditions that lead to poor health and barriers to quality health care based on poverty and discrimination.
We’re Seeking: Solutions that focus on marginalized demographic/geographic populations, address systemic barriers and opportunities (not just individual level interventions), and/or look upstream to the root causes of health inequities (e.g. housing/the physical environment, economic stability, education, nutrition and clean water, access to care and social supports/bias.)
Learn more about:
- health equity here
- disparities in childhood obesity here
- the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) 2017-2018 Child Health Priorities on Addressing Bias and Discrimination and Poverty and Child Health
Childhood Obesity/ Diabetes (NEW for 2019)
Childhood obesity is an increasing public health issue. Childhood obesity predisposes to childhood-onset type 2 diabetes and adult obesity, which is associated with significant morbidity and mortality.
We’re Seeking: Solutions that: focus on marginalized demographic/geographic populations; address systemic barriers to quality care; look upstream to systemic risk conditions such as housing/the physical environment, economic stability, food/water access, education, access to care and social supports/discrimination.
Learn more about health equity here:
Behavioral Health (NEW for 2019)
Only 21% of children with a behavioral health disorder actually receive treatment. Across the United States there is a shortage of child mental health providers, leading to long wait times and delayed diagnoses. Earlier interventions and increased utilization of services can improve childhood development and outcomes.
We’re Seeking: Innovative solutions to address the behavioral health needs of children.
Access to Care (NEW for 2019)
It can be difficult to get a new patient appointment in certain pediatric specialties. Improving a child’s access to the right care at the right time in the right place will improve their future outcomes.
We’re Seeking: Innovative solutions to maximize scheduling and create opportunities for patients for improved access to physicians and providers
Opioid Use / Prevention of Abuse (NEW for 2019)
It can be difficult for pediatric providers to provide appropriate pain medications in the right amount at the right time as well as to avoid the potential for future opioid abuse.
We’re Seeking: Innovative solutions to assist pediatric providers with the prescribing of pain medication for children
Patient Safety
Healthcare organizations are focused on keeping their patients safe, preventing readmissions, and reducing hospital acquired infections.
We’re Seeking: Innovative solutions that leverage EHR/patient data to increase safety, identify risk factors, and prevent unintended injuries.
Population Health & Communication
Population management systematically addresses the preventive and chronic care needs of every patient while focusing on high-risk patients who generate the majority of health costs. Leveraging the latest technological solutions is the only way to feasibly implement and sustain population management efforts.
We’re Seeking: Solutions focused on addressing communication gaps for complex and chronic patients systemically to ensure the right care is delivered at the right place and at the right time.
Prematurity
Costs associated with prematurity exceed $30 billion annually. Prematurity, which effects approximately 1 in 9 US births, can cause long-term health problems throughout ones life. This can have long-lasting financial effects and can affect a person’s education and ability to work.
We’re Seeking: Innovations that help prevent preterm birth or solve some of the unique challenges of premature babies.
Remote Care
Remote patient monitoring uses digital technologies to collect medical and other forms of health data from individuals in one location and electronically transmit that information securely to health care providers in a different location for assessment and recommendations.
We’re Seeking: Virtual and remote care solutions that take into account the unique needs of pediatric patients and caregivers.
Robotics / Minimally Invasive Surgery
Due to the size and nature of pediatric patients, challenges such as space, delicate tissue, and delicate systems present significant opportunities for robotic and surgical innovation. The challenges in minimally invasive pediatric and fetal surgery require new tools that feature novel ways to articulate or apply tension. Tools that solve pediatric problems often have secondary markets in the adult and elderly population.
We’re Seeking: Minimally invasive tools to navigate small and delicate spaces.