The Compass

Parents of children requiring neurosurgery at the Stollery Children’s Hospital in Edmonton will be able to navigate their journey a little easier thanks to The Compass: A Pediatric Guide to Neurosurgery.

The Compass includes real-life stories of coping from patient families, provides medical and technical information about brain and spinal cord injuries, and explains everything from diagnosis and medical terminology, to how to navigate the hospital, to where to find specialized clothing and shoes. The app also includes videos, audios, interactive maps and links to expanded online resources.

Every year, about 1,500 children are treated in the Stollery’s pediatric neurology program for injuries and/or illnesses affecting the brain or spinal cord. About 275 pediatric neurosurgeries were performed at the hospital last year.

The Compass is a project of the Neurosurgery Kids Fund (NKF), which is supported by the Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation and the Building Trades of Alberta Charitable Foundation.