0037
Methods: This paper
involves a brief overview of the development and piloting of a methodology
which involves children in evaluating their care. It emphasises the
importance and feasibility of eliciting the views of children on their
healthcare experiences and needs. It recognises and demonstrates that we
cannot assume that parent’s and health care professionals’ perception of
their child’s response will accurately reflect the child’s feelings and
needs. For those who are aware of the need to listen to children but are
unsure about where to start, it also demonstrates ways to incorporate
children’s views. The methods of a national pilot study are outlined and
evaluated. Total
number of clinical sites across the United Kingdom = 25 Total
number of separate clinical areas from within sites = 100 Number
of children (0-18 years) included in the pilot study = 500 Number
of parents included in the pilot study = 500 Number
of healthcare professionals included in the pilot study = 500 Number
of patient records included in the pilot study = 500 Therefore
2000 completed data collection tools are analysed. Results: Data is
analysed using master data sheets, a computerised coding system and
specific findings highlighted by qualitative data. The results reveal how
the developed methodology can evaluate the quality of care in respect to
recognition and assessment of acute pain in children. Findings specific to
individual pilot sites and a national overview demonstrate the value of
involving children as service users. (Results will be available July 2001
and will be presented at the conference) Conclusion: The
methodology described, actively involving children’s views, appears a
useful strategy to evaluate the quality of care to children and their
families. Involving children, parents, healthcare professionals and patient
documentation allows for useful comparisons between the groups. The future
development of this work is discussed and how it is influencing care in
units participating in the study is outlined.
A NATIONAL STUDY TO PILOT A METHODOLOGY TO
IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF CARE FOR CHILDREN WHO EXPERIENCE ACUTE PAIN
Woodfield T A
Royal College of Nursing Institute, London,
United Kingdom
Objective: The objective of this study was to pilot a methodology to improve
the quality of care for children, in terms of the recognition and
assessment of their acute pain.