 |
 |
How does the APSU work?
Organisation
- The APSU Board comprises prominent paediatricians, epidemiologists and public health personnel who meet annually and oversee the management of the unit (Figure 1)
- The Scientific Review Panel meets regularly to evaluate applications to conduct a study through the unit, ensuring that high scientific standards are maintained.
Reporting Mechanism
- Conditions currently studied by the APSU are listed on report cards that are sent monthly to over 1000 clinicians working in paediatrics and child health in Australia
- Clinicians report any child newly diagnosed with any of the conditions listed
- Reporting is by reply-paid card or email
- Investigators studying the conditions are notified by the APSU of reported cases and given contact details of the reporting doctor
- Investigators then send questionnaires to reporting clinicians requesting further clinical and demographic information.
- Patient anonymity is maintained by a unique identifier code and investigators have no access to patients
- Investigators are responsible for collation, analysis and publication of study data
- Ethics approval is obtained by the Principle Investigator prior to commencement of a study
- Figure 2 shows the operation of the APSU