Highlight: Urology SIG
The Urology Special Interest Group (SIG) started in the Fall of 2022 when one SPP member wrote to the SPP listserv expressing interest in connecting with other pediatric psychologists working in urology settings. Fourteen psychologists in total expressed interest, and together, they officially formed the SIG in December 2022. The mission of the Urology SIG is to provide the space and opportunity for camaraderie, collaboration, networking, and consultation between psychologists working with pediatric patients with urological disorders. See our SIG’s webpage for more about our specific goals.
To date we have grown to include 21 members who work across 19 different institutions/practices. Our members are involved in clinical care and research related to a variety of urological conditions, including enuresis, encopresis, spina bifida, bladder exstrophy, lower urinary tract dysfunction, voiding dysfunction, and more.
The Urology SIG has had a productive and rewarding 2 years as a new SIG. Here are some of our activities and accomplishments.
1. We have held 5 quarterly meetings, during which members connected, shared experiences, sought peer consultation, and collaborated on research ideas.
2. Members collaborated to publish 2 peer-reviewed articles.
- Hayes, L. C., Shepard, J. A., SooHoo, M. M., Rouse, C. M., & Papadakis, J. L. (2023). Preventing Pediatric Medical Traumatic Stress in a Pediatric Urology Outpatient Setting: Application of the Pediatric Psychosocial Preventative Health Model (PPPHM). Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 49(5), 259–265. doi: 10.1093/jpepsy/jsad064.
- Dawson, A., Hayes, L. C., Papadakis, J. L., & McLeod, D. J. (2024). Learning from the past: how lessons from hinman syndrome can inform best-practice for the psychological management of dysfunctional voiding. Journal of Pediatric Urology, 20(3), 376–383. doi: 10.1016/j.jpurol.2024.01.018.
3. Members collaborated to present on the role of pediatric psychology in pediatric urology settings at a urology nursing conference.
- Hayes, L. C., Papadakis, J. L., Rouse, C., Shepard, S., & Soohoo, M. (2024, September). Psychology and behavioral health in pediatric urology. Invited podium presentation at the Pediatric Urology Nurse Specialists Annual Meeting, Louisville, Kentucky.
4. Members are working together to build a resource bank of materials relevant to pediatric urology, which includes seminal articles, patient-reported outcome measures, assessment tools, treatment materials, psychoeducation materials, information on relevant non-for-profits and camps, and more.
The following is our active and engaged leadership team:
- Co-Chairs: Lillian Hayes, PhD, ABPP (Boston Children’s/Harvard Medical School); Jackie Papadakis, PhD (Lurie Children’s/Northwestern Medicine)
- Secretary: Michelle Soohoo, PhD (Children’s Hospital LA)
- Treasurer: Christina Rouse, PhD (private practice)
If you are interested in joining the Urology SIG, please do so via the pedspsych.org membership portal.
PICTURE CAPTION: Urology SIG Members co-presenting at the Pediatric Urology Nurses & Specialists (PUNS) Meeting in Louisville, KY in September 2024, on the topic of the role of pediatric psychology and behavioral health in pediatric urology settings. Pictured left to right: Jaclyn Shepard, PsyD, ABPP, Michelle SooHoo, PhD, Christina Rouse, PhD, Jaclyn Papadakis, PhD, Lillian Hayes, PhD, ABPP.