Training

Project DOCC Houston provides a faculty of parents of children with disabilities and/or extensive medical needs. Project DOCC parent teachers have children living with profound disabilities such as cerebral palsy, autism, rare genetic disorders, traumatic brain injury, deafblindness and chronic illnesses such as epilepsy and diabetes.

Connecting physicians early in their careers with families of patients exponentially benefits children with chronic healthcare needs over the doctors’ careers. Nearly 90% of participating resident physicians have indicated that participation in Project DOCC’s Parent Teacher sessions have positively impacted their willingness to work with children with chronic disabilities. An overwhelming majority of resident physicians, an average of 94%, valued their experience with Parent Teachers in a non-clinical setting.

Participating Institutions

Baylor College of Medicine
Project DOCC is a required component of the CARES curriculum for all first-year pediatric resident physicians. Residents attend sessions in the homes of Project DOCC Parent Teachers and participate in virtual parent interviews. Third-year medical students participating in an elective rotation with BCM Transition Medicine Clinic attend sessions in the homes of Project DOCC Parent Teachers.

McGovern Medical School at UT Health Houston
Project DOCC is a required component of the Advocacy Rotation for all first-year pediatric resident physicians. Residents attend sessions in the homes of Project DOCC Parent Teachers.

Texas A&M University Naresh K. Vashisht College of Medicine
Third-year medical students assigned a rotation with Houston Methodist Academic Institute / Texas A&M Health Science Partnership participate in virtual sessions with Project DOCC Parent Teachers.

The number of pediatric resident physicians participating in Project DOCC is approaching 1,000.

Home Visits

Pediatric resident physicians are welcomed into the home of a family with a child living with disabilities and/or chronic illnesses. Residents experience a “day in the life,” immersed in the home environment. Here they are often able to meet and interact with the cared-for individual. In addition to the hosting Parent Teacher, a visiting Parent Teacher also provides residents the perspective of a second patient’s family and home environment.

Parent Interviews

To learn more about caring for a child with disabilities and/or chronic illnesses, pediatric resident physicians interview a Project DOCC Parent Teacher about the medical history, care and experiences of his/her child. The interview may be enhanced with visuals prepared by the Parent Teachers to share. The Parent Teachers also discuss local and national resources that doctors should to be familiar with, such as Medicaid waiver programs, Project DOCC Resource Guide and parent support organizations.

Ground Rounds Panels

Project DOCC Parent Teachers present to pediatric resident physicians on campus. Each Parent Teacher shares personal experiences of caring for their child with profound care needs with visuals. The panel is moderated by an attending professor.