Developing a paediatric healthcare research network: key learnings from the 'starworks' child prosthetics project

Abstract

The context of child prosthetics is a complex and important area for research and innovation. Yet, like many areas of paediatric medical technology development, there are several barriers to innovating specifically for the unique needs of children (i.e., a relatively small patient population or ‘market’). As such, much child prosthetics technology is developed from the downsizing of adult prosthetics, leading to suboptimal outcomes for children and young people. Since 2016, the Starworks Child Prosthetics Research Network has been exploring this space, bringing children and their families together with key opinion leaders from the NHS, clinical Academia and leading National Research Centres with capabilities in child prosthetics with the aim of increasing research across the system. Above all else, Starworks is centred on the needs of children and their families, ensuring they have an equal voice in driving the ongoing research agenda. This article will share key learnings from the creation and development of the Starworks Network that may be applicable and/or adaptable across a wider paediatric medical technology research and innovation landscape. In particular it will discuss how it addressed three key aims of; (1) Addressing child-specific issues; (2) Building a sustainable network; and (3) Fostering impactful innovation.

Keywords:

• Paediatric
• medical technologies
• co-design
• outcomes

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank LimbPower, Steps, Reach charities for their support of Starworks activities, as well as the Starworks Expert Network and our Starworks Proof of Concept projects for their enthusiasm and commitment to this important area of research. In particular, the authors wish to thank the Starworks Ambassadors and all of the children, young people and families who have helped to make the Starworks network a reality.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Additional information

Funding

The research reported in this publication was (funded/partially funded/supported) by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Devices for Dignity MedTech Co-operative. The views expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the NHS, the NIHR or the Department of Health and Social Care.