Parental - HCP communication about potentially unwell children
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Evaluating parental and professional communication around the potentially unwell child.
IRAS ID
333129
Contact name
Damian Roland
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 5 months, 26 days
Research summary
The current challenge of acute paediatrics in Leicester is ever-increasing Accident and Emergency presentations. Many of these children have conditions that could be managed by self-care alone. However some of these children have conditions that do need treatment.
Sadly these children do not always get the care that they need in a timely fashion.
Our aim is to improve communication practices in settings where acutely unwell children are seen by observing current communication practices around safety netting by videoing consultations for staff to later view in focus groups.
This study is to assess the feasibility of videoing consultations between families and HCPs in busy working environments
In the longer term we can develop proposals to further improve the quality and safety of communication and safety netting practices (e.g., training, guidelines, or other tools)
The methodology we will use is Video-reflexive ethnography (VRE). It involves video recording consultations, with the consent of participants (patients, healthcare professionals and others, e.g., family). The video will be edited into short clips and shown to participant (staff) focus groups, to spark discussion and develop ideas for improvements. VRE has already been used to study a range of subjects, including GP consultations and to improve ambulance to ED handovers in Australia.
Parents and carers have told us they think videos are an appropriate method to use however we don't know whether in the real world families and health care professionals will find this acceptable and this study aims to determine whether it is possible to make these recordings.Summary of results
Introduction
Effective communication between caregivers and healthcare professionals is a persistent challenge. However real-time demonstration of communication challenges, and good practice, is rarely obtained due to both public and professional concern over being recorded.Methods
This feasibility study aimed to determine whether obtaining video footage of consultations in a large children's emergency department (ED) was feasible and acceptable to staff, parents and patients.Care was taken in advance of recording to select spaces within the ED in which videoing could be undertaken without accidentally recording other people, such as single bay spaces or examination rooms. These factors also determined the camera angles that could be used.
Results
16 parents and 16 healthcare practitioners (HCP’s) took part in the study, while 17 parents and 6 HCPs declined to participate when approached.
Analysis of recorded consultations demonstrated that it is possible to capture footage which can be examined for learning.
The study confirmed that video recordings could provide valuable perspectives on caregiver-professional interactions, identifying areas where communication could be improved to enhance patient care.
Conclusion
This study demonstrates future research is possible studying communication between staff, patients and caregivers, to assess and enhance communication practices within paediatric emergency settings. Future research can identify best practices to ensure caregivers feel empowered and healthcare professionals engage in more effective listening, ultimately improving outcomes for children.REC name
London - Bromley Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/PR/1575
Date of REC Opinion
1 Feb 2024
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion