William O Walker, MD

William O Walker, MD

Specialties

"I take a "whole child" and a "whole family" view with every visit. Though I can't necessarily explain why a child has a disability, I can help solve practical concerns families have about caring for their child right now. I rarely "cure" or "fix" the disorder, but I can promise the family that I am in it with them for the long haul. I carry around a bag of bells and blocks and crayons, I draw on whiteboards and play tic-tac-toe and I give high (and low) fives multiple times every day and no one thinks that is odd at all. I laugh and cry with the patients and their families and am grateful that I can do both."

  • Biography

    Clinical Interests

    Myelomeningocele, hydrocephalus, developmental delay, cerebral palsy, autism, spina bifida

    Research Description

    Currently, there is a particular emphasis on defining effective methods to identify and measure outcomes of specific interventions implemented by a variety of medical providers and disciplines. As part of this effort, serial prospective data collected over the past forty years as part of routine care and maintained in an IRB approved database is being analyzed to establish baseline standards for future comparisons. In conjunction with the Division of Pediatric Urology, the timing and effectiveness of various methods of bowel and bladder management are the current focus. The development of common definitions of continence across several institutions and projects will, hopefully, better establish some common ground for comparison and implementation. There are ongoing discussions with the Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery regarding potential overlap with their interest in hydrocephalus, a frequently associated condition in children with neural tube defects. Shunt management and treatment of shunt infections are areas of potential future collaboration. The hope is that these efforts will favorably impact the success of individuals with spina bifida in achieving functional independence and a successful transition to an adult model of care.

    The focus of my research efforts is the study and evaluation of neural tube defects and related conditions; it is almost exclusively clinical at this time and represents approximately 10percent of my work effort. In the past several years, I have had the opportunity to participate in both single and multisite projects sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Association of University Centers on Disability, which have addressed issues related to quality of life, its definition and measurement. This has allowed us to develop networks within the University of Washington (Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Center for Disability Policy and Research) as well as with other institutions (Oregon Health Sciences University, Children?s Hospital Los Angeles). Projects addressing the effect of lesion level on employment status, the economic impact of multidisciplinary clinics, and the accessibility of appropriate technology to this population have been presented and discussed at national and international meetings.

    Research Focus Area

    Chronic Conditions / Special Health Care Needs

  • Patient Testimonials

  • Awards and Honors

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  • Publications

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  • Presentations

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  • Research Funding

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  • Clinical Trials and Research

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    No clinical trials found for William O Walker, MD.