NF Center Undergraduate Explores Predictors of Patient Return

July 1, 2022

Ms. Kyra Rosen, a recent graduate from Washington University, working with members of the Washington University NF Center clinical team used mathematical modeling to define the factors that predict patient return to NF clinic.

Using electronic health record data, Ms. Rosen was able to identify some of the reasons why children seen in a large NF referral clinic do not return for their follow up appointments after an initial consultation. She found that children who received a diagnosis of café-au-lait spots only, were from rural areas, were older, or who lived farther from the hospital were less likely to return to clinic.

These findings support the implementation of tailored communication and monitoring interventions to improve the care for children with NF1.

This study was published in The Journal of Pediatrics.