Improving Pediatric Sickle Cell Outcomes with Daily Support: A Conversation with Dr. Susan Creary

Guest:
Dr. Susan Creary, Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Pediatric Hematologist, Nationwide Children’s Hospital
Moderated by Sebastian Seiguer, CEO & Co-Founder, Scene Health

Top Five Takeaways from the Interview

1. Hydroxyurea is the standard of care—but adherence remains a challenge
While Hydroxyurea is proven to improve survival and reduce complications in sickle cell disease, more than 50% of children take less than 70% of their medication. Early and consistent use is essential to maximizing long-term benefits.

2. Video DOT is a scalable, supportive solution
Video Directly Observed Therapy (DOT) offers an efficient, flexible way to ensure children with sickle cell disease take their daily medication—providing real-time adherence data and a human connection that supports families and caregivers.

3. Real-world adherence ≠ prescription refill
Traditional adherence metrics like MPR and PDC often fail to reflect whether medication is actually taken. Video DOT offers a gold-standard, objective measure of adherence and can reveal gaps that refill data can’t capture.

4. Providers need data, not daily tasks
Physicians and clinical teams aren’t equipped to monitor medication daily—but adherence teams can. Scene’s centralized model enables scalable engagement, while still providing providers the insights they need to make informed clinical decisions.

5. A future of more options requires better support
As new oral medications and gene therapies emerge, adherence will be even more critical. Helping patients succeed with today’s treatments like Hydroxyurea also sets the stage for informed choices about future therapies and personalized care.

Conclusion
Dr. Susan Creary’s work is shaping a more precise and compassionate approach to managing sickle cell disease in children. With the right tools—including video DOT and personalized dosing support—patients can experience fewer complications and live healthier lives. Thank you, Dr. Creary, for your leadership in pediatric hematology and for advancing adherence research that truly puts patients first.

This interview and content are shared for educational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement or promotion by Scene Health.