# Developing an Innovative Decision Support Tool for Pediatric Neuromuscular Scoliosis

> **NIH NIH K23** · UTAH STATE HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM--UNIVERSITY OF UTAH · 2022 · $173,129

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
This proposal describes a 5-year research training program for Jody Lin, MD, MS, a pediatric hospitalist at the
University of Utah. Dr. Lin’s long-term goal is to become an independent physician scientist who develops
scalable decision support tools to improve outcomes for children with medical complexity through shared
decision making (SDM). The award will support Dr. Lin to accomplish the following goals: 1) Gain expertise in
the psychology of decision making, 2) Undergo advanced training in risk communication strategies in settings
of uncertainty, 3) Obtain experience in applying implementation science to the design of decision support tools,
4) Acquire leadership skills in assembling and managing multidisciplinary scientific teams. Dr. Lin will be
supported by an outstanding team of mentors who are dedicated to her success and possess diverse expertise
in decision science (Dr. Fagerlin), health communication (Dr. Kaphingst), implementation science (Dr. Asch),
and pediatric orthopaedics (Dr. Narayanan). Dr. Lin also has three advisors with expertise in children with
medical complexity, career development, and biostatistics.
In spite of broad recognition that SDM is a promising approach to improving outcomes for children with medical
complexity, little is known about how to improve SDM for these children in the clinical setting. This project will
develop and test the feasibility of a novel decision support tool on surgical treatment decision making for
children with neuromuscular scoliosis (NMS). The aims of the project are as follows. In aim 1, Dr. Lin will apply
new skills in health communication to identify effective risk communication methods to communicate
uncertainty in decision making for children with NMS. In aim 2, Dr. Lin will design a decision support tool for
use during orthopaedic consultation for children with NMS, including discoveries from aim 1. In aim 3, Dr. Lin
will conduct a pilot feasibility and acceptability study of the decision support tool. This study will inform the
development of a large, multicenter trial of the decision support tool for children with NMS.
Through the training and research activities embedded in this proposal, Dr. Lin will address gaps in our
understanding of how to support treatment decision making for children with NMS. This study will serve as a
critical model for developing decision supports for clinical decisions in the growing population of children with
medical complexity. Completion of the proposed activities will prepare Dr. Lin to independently lead a larger
research program evaluating and developing decision support to improve outcomes for populations of children
and adults with multiple comorbid conditions through better SDM.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10449660
- **Project number:** 1K23AR079778-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** UTAH STATE HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM--UNIVERSITY OF UTAH
- **Principal Investigator:** Jody Lin
- **Activity code:** K23 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $173,129
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2022-07-15 → 2027-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10449660

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10449660, Developing an Innovative Decision Support Tool for Pediatric Neuromuscular Scoliosis (1K23AR079778-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10449660. Licensed CC0.

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