Co-design of a paediatric post-trauma electronic psychosocial screen

Bronwyn R Griffin; Kate Trenoweth; Tanesha A Dimanopoulos; Alexandra C De Young; Vanessa E Cobham; Hayley Williams; Roy Kimble

doi:10.1016/j.pedn.2024.02.004

Co-design of a paediatric post-trauma electronic psychosocial screen

J Pediatr Nurs. 2024 Feb 14:76:52-60. doi: 10.1016/j.pedn.2024.02.004. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Bronwyn R Griffin¹, Kate Trenoweth², Tanesha A Dimanopoulos³, Alexandra C De Young⁴, Vanessa E Cobham⁵, Hayley Williams⁶, Roy Kimble²

Affiliations

¹ Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Nathan Campus, QLD, Australia; Children's Health Queensland Hospital and Health Service, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
² Children's Health Queensland Hospital and Health Service, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
³ Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Nathan Campus, QLD, Australia; Children's Health Queensland Hospital and Health Service, Brisbane, QLD, Australia. Electronic address: t.dimanopoulos@griffith.edu.au.
⁴ Queensland Centre for Perinatal and Infant Mental Health, Children's Health Queensland, Hospital Health Service, Brisbane, QLD, Australia; Child Health Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
⁵ School of Psychology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia; Child and Youth Mental Health Service, Children's Health Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
⁶ Child Health Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.

PMID: 38359545
DOI: 10.1016/j.pedn.2024.02.004

Abstract

Purpose: To optimise care pathways and provide greater transparency of the psychosocial needs of injured children after hospital discharge by extending post-discharge psychosocial screening to children admitted with traumatic injury for ≥24 h.

Design and methods: This mixed-methods study used a co-design approach informed by the Experience-Based Co-design (EBCD) framework. Interviews with carers were used to evaluate experiences and generate views on psychosocial support interventions. Online surveys by international child psychologists' indicated preferences for a psychosocial screening tool, and clinician-stakeholder consensus meetings facilitated the development of an electronic post-injury psychosocial screening tool.

Results: Carers found the initial year of follow-up from trauma family support services helpful, appreciating the hospital connection. Flexible follow-up timings and additional resources were mentioned, and most carers were interested in participating in an electronic screening activity to predict their child's coping after injury. Child trauma experts recommended including several screening tools, and the multidisciplinary paediatric trauma service and study investigators collaborated over a year to workshop and reach a consensus on the screening tool and follow-up process.

Conclusion: The multidisciplinary team co-designed an electronic psychosocial screening and follow-up process for families with children with traumatic injuries. This tool improves the visibility of injured children's psychosocial needs post-injury and potentially aids clinical targeted resource allocation for trauma family support services.

Practice implications: The study emphasises the significance of specialised psychosocial screening tools in paediatric nursing, especially in trauma care, for understanding patients' psychosocial needs, tailoring follow-up plans, and promoting a patient-centred approach.

Keywords: Injury; Medical trauma; Paediatric traumatic stress; Psychosocial screen; Trauma care; Trauma nurse; Wellness screen.