Presenting Faculty
Allison Silverstein, MD MBA MS and Hadley Bloomhardt, MD
Session Overview
This session explores prognostication and the natural history of serious and complex illness in pediatric populations, with attention to clinical, ethical, and family‑centered considerations that inform care across the illness trajectory.
What Learners Will Gain
Learners will self‑report the ability to apply, analyze, and evaluate prognostication and disease trajectories in children when making diagnostic and clinical decisions that have significant implications for patients, families, and care teams.
Conditions and Contexts Addressed
• Diseases of childhood
• Genetic and congenital conditions
• Perinatal and infant death
• Pediatric neurologic conditions
Key Ethical and Developmental Considerations
• Ethical and legal aspects of pediatric care
• Pediatric decision‑making and surrogate roles
• Care needs of bereaved minor children
• Support for children whose parent or caregiver is seriously ill
Clinical Focus Areas
• Prognostic uncertainty in pediatric serious illness
• Communication with families across developmental stages
• Integrating ethics, law, and family dynamics into care planning