Clare Rose Kennedy

All Publications

• Inverse option generation: Inferences about others' values based on what comes to mind. Cognition Acierno, J., Kennedy, C., Cushman, F., Phillips, J. 2025; 264: 106238

  Abstract

  Prior research shows that when people try to think of things, such as solutions to a problem, the options that come to mind most often are those that they consider statistically common and valuable. Here, we ask whether ordinary people anticipate this and, therefore, infer that when uncommon solutions come to someone's mind, it is diagnostic of how much those solutions are represented as valuable-including in the moral domain. To illustrate, imagine your friend is brainstorming what to serve a vegetarian couple and says aloud, "maybe pizza, salad, or penne alfredo?" While some of the options can be explained by both their value and statistical frequency (e.g., pizza or salad), you might infer that only your friend's particular affection for penne alfredo explains why that option came to mind. Across four studies we demonstrate inferences of this kind, and our results suggest that participants are able to make such inferences by inverting their intuitive understanding of the option-generation process itself. Whereas many current models of our folk theory of mind focus on the core mechanics of deliberative choice - such as the use of beliefs and desires to plan rational action - our results show a much broader folk understanding of pre-deliberative aspects of thought, such as the very process of option generation.

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.cognition.2025.106238

  View details for PubMedID 40669425

• Evaluating Financial Toxicity and Quality of Life Among Acute Care Surgery Patients: A Mixed-Methods Study. Journal of the American College of Surgeons Kennedy, C., Wang, S., Chen, J., Flojo, R., King, J., Arnow, K., Earley, M., Abreo, A., Knowlton, L. M., S-SPIRE Qualitative Study Team 2025

  Abstract

  BACKGROUND: Acute care surgery (ACS) patients face financial burdens and impact on quality-of-life (QoL), which can be significant for the uninsured. Hospital Presumptive Eligibility (HPE) aims to reduce costs and improve access. We evaluated patient-reported outcomes following hospitalization, hypothesizing that HPE improved recovery trajectory.STUDY DESIGN: A convergent mixed methods study of ACS patients 18-64 years was performed at an academic Level I trauma center from December 2024 to August 2025. HPE patients were compared with insured patients. SF-12 QoL and American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST) financial hardship survey tool were completed at hospitalization and 1-3 months post-discharge. Thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews was conducted to evaluate access to care and financial toxicity.RESULTS: Ten out of the 110 patients were HPE and the rest were insured controls. HPE patients were younger (median: 39.5 vs. 43.5 years), had higher ICU admission (30% vs. 9%) and non-routine discharge (22% vs.7%) rates. At 3 months post-discharge, both groups had reduced household income (HPE vs. controls: 33% vs. 20%) and difficulty paying non-medical bills (50% vs. 25%). HPE patients additionally reported lower SF-12 measures. In qualitative analysis, HPE patients cited rapid access to insurance and expected reduction in out-of-pocket cost as program benefits.CONCLUSION: Risk for financial toxicity remains high among ACS patients. Patients enrolled in HPE faced additional financial and psychosocial strains during post-admission recovery. QoL and financial metrics are important to understand longitudinal patient outcomes and guide policies to improve patient recovery.

  View details for DOI 10.1097/XCS.0000000000001652

  View details for PubMedID 41051099

• Dietary recommendations for pediatric and adolescent patients utilizing GLP-1 receptor agonists for weight management: A narrative review of current literature. Nutrition in clinical practice : official publication of the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition Kennedy, C., Moyer, K., Herdes, R. E. 2025

  Abstract

  Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists are becoming an increasingly important tool in addressing obesity in the US, with burgeoning use in pediatric and adolescent populations. Although their use is expanding, there is a notable gap in the literature regarding optimal dietary guidelines for these patients. This review synthesizes current evidence on dietary recommendations for patients using GLP-1 receptor agonists for weight management, with particular emphasis on strategies for pediatric and adolescent populations. Key strategies include prioritizing protein in the diet to help maintain lean body mass, gradually increasing fiber content to minimize gastrointestinal side effects, focusing on nutrient-dense meals in smaller, more frequent portions, and monitoring micronutrients to prevent deficiencies. Successful implementation of these dietary guidelines relies on an interdisciplinary approach to optimize both short- and long-term success.

  View details for DOI 10.1002/ncp.11356

  View details for PubMedID 40714863

• Influence of Fetal Diagnosis on Management of Vascular Rings. The Annals of thoracic surgery Stephens, E. H., Eltayeb, O., Kennedy, C., Rigsby, C. K., Rastatter, J. C., Carr, M. R., Mongé, M. C., Backer, C. L. 2022; 113 (2): 630-636

  Abstract

  Fetal diagnoses of vascular rings have been increasing. We compared management strategies and outcomes of infants with fetal diagnosis with those with postnatal diagnosis to inform recommendations regarding optimal management.A retrospective review was performed of vascular ring operations from January 2000 to June 2019. Standard demographic data (preoperative clinical status, timing of diagnosis, cross-sectional imaging, operative and perioperative details, and clinical outcomes) were collected. Statistical analysis was performed to compare characteristics and outcomes of fetal versus postnatal diagnosis.Of 190 patients, 15% (n = 29) were diagnosed prenatally. Anatomic variants were double aortic arch (n = 66, 14 fetal diagnoses), right aortic arch, aberrant left subclavian artery (n = 94, 12 fetal diagnoses), circumflex aorta (n = 7, 1 fetal diagnosis), and pulmonary artery sling (n = 19, 2 fetal diagnoses). An increasing frequency of fetal diagnoses has been noted in the past 10 years. In 2012 1 of 9 patients (11%) had a fetal diagnosis, whereas in 2018 8 of 11 (72%) had a fetal diagnosis (P < .001). Patients with a fetal diagnosis were significantly younger at the time of surgery (13.1 months [interquartile range (IQR), 20.6] vs 24.0 months [IQR, 87.0], P = .029). There was no difference in postoperative complications or length of stay (3 days [IQR, 1] for fetal diagnoses vs 4 days [IQR, 3] for postnatal diagnoses, P = .50).Fetal diagnosis leads to the potential for expectant management of vascular ring patients. This has resulted in earlier time of intervention with no increase in postoperative morbidity. This may lead to improved long-term outcomes and potentially alter the natural history for these children.

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.athoracsur.2021.01.025

  View details for PubMedID 33524348

• Evolution and Current Results of a Unified Strategy for Sinus Venosus Surgery. The Annals of thoracic surgery Stephens, E. H., Mongé, M. C., Eltayeb, O., Patel, A., Webster, G., Cornicelli, M. D., Kennedy, C., Popescu, A. R., Rigsby, C. K., Backer, C. L. 2021; 111 (3): 980-986

  Abstract

  Given recent reports of percutaneous closure of sinus venosus atrial septal defects, we reviewed our experience with surgical repair. Owing to the high incidence of arrhythmias with the two-patch technique, since 2001 we have used either one-patch repairs or the Warden procedure.A retrospective review was performed of pediatric patients undergoing sinus venosus atrial septal defect repair at our institution from January 1, 1990, to July 1, 2018. Standard demographic data such as echocardiographic and cross-sectional imaging along with operative details and clinical echocardiographic outcomes were collected.The cohort included 144 patients with a median age of 4.3 years (interquartile range, 8.5). Inferior SVASD was present in 24 patients (17%). A single autologous untreated pericardial patch was used for 114 patients (79%), a two-patch technique for 20 patients (14%, last performed in 2000), and a Warden procedure in 10 patients (7%). Median length of stay was 4 days (interquartile range, 2). On echocardiogram follow-up, no patient had pulmonary vein stenosis. One patient who had the Warden procedure required a balloon dilation of the superior caval vein 2 years postoperatively and a stent 3 years later. Two-patch patients were substantially less likely to be in normal sinus rhythm (41%) on postoperative electrocardiograms compared with the other two techniques (81% one-patch and 89% Warden, P = .02).The great majority of patients with sinus venosus atrial septal defects can be successfully repaired with a single patch of autologous pericardium. We transitioned to using either a single pericardial patch or the Warden procedure, resulting in a higher frequency of normal sinus rhythm on postoperative electrocardiograms.

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.athoracsur.2020.03.113

  View details for PubMedID 32437676