Sidharth Vemuri

Supervisors:  

Professor Lynn Gillam, Academic Director, Children’s Bioethics Centre, Royal Children’s Hospital; and  Professor of Ethics, Centre for Health Equity, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne

A/Professor Jenny Hynson, Head of Unit, Victorian Paediatric Palliative Care Program and Team Leader, Children's Bioethics Centre, Royal Children's Hospital; Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne.

Professor Katrina Williams, Professor of Paediatrics, Monash University; Honorary Research Fellow, Murdoch Children's Research Institute

Title of PhD:  

Advance care planning for children with severe neurodisability: viewing prognostic uncertainty as an opportunity rather than barrier

Abstract:

Children with severe neurodisability have high care needs and multiple interactions with health services. These children are at risk of dying from their condition, though this may not happen during their childhood. One important role of clinicians is to help parents to think and plan ahead about what to do if their child’s condition becomes worse. This research aims to create knowledge about the most effective and helpful ways to communicate with parents of children living with prognostic uncertainty.

Bio:

Sid is a general paediatrician and consultant in paediatric palliative medicine in the Victorian Paediatric Palliative Care Program. He is undertaking his PhD through the Melbourne School of Population and Global Health and is interested in exploring end-of-life decision making for children with life-limiting conditions, particularly those children with severe neurodisability.