Developing understanding and awareness of children’s distress, distraction techniques and holding
Preston, Christopher Bray, Lucy
Preston, Christopher
Bray, Lucy
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Abstract
Abstract published with permission.
Purpose: This project aimed to evaluate the influence of an education session
on ambulance clinicians’ understanding and awareness of children’s distress,
distraction techniques and holding in the pre-hospital setting.
Methods: An inter-professional education session that focused on raising
awareness of children’s distress, the use of distraction techniques and clinical
holding during pre-hospital care was provided. A mixed methods approach was
then used to evaluate both existing and newly acquired knowledge and opinion
through the use of questionnaires (n=26) and focus group discussion (n=20).
Results: Despite literature suggesting that ambulance clinicians may not use
distraction techniques during pre-hospital care, data gained from this project
indicates that use of distraction techniques is widespread (92%, n=24) and has
been adapted to fit within pre-hospital care. The inter-professional education
event was reported as being of value for ambulance clinicians.
Conclusions: Ambulance clinicians endeavour to provide a positive experience
for children undergoing procedures, despite reported limitations in education,
exposure and equipment. By using a collaborative and consultative education
event, it is possible to facilitate ambulance clinicians to challenge their
practice and improve their reported knowledge of dealing with children during
procedures in the pre-hospital setting. Additional work needs to be undertaken
to further explore and improve pre-hospital practice in relation to children’s
distress and clinical procedures.