Article Text
Abstract
Introduction This study explores UK paediatric intensive care (PIC) trainees’ thoughts and feelings about high-profile end-of-life cases recently featured in the press and social media and the impact on their career intentions.
Methods Semi-structured interviews were conducted with nine PIC-GRID trainees (April to August 2021). Interview transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis.
Results Six main themes were identified: (1) All participants wished to do what was best for the child, feeling conflicted if this meant disagreeing with parents. (2) Interviewees felt unprepared and expressed deep concern about the effect of high-profile cases on their future career; all had reconsidered their training in PIC due to concerns about future high-profile end-of-life disputes, despite this all were still in training. (3) Specific training on the ethical and legal nuances of such cases is required, alongside targeted communication skills. (4).All cases are unique. (5) All had purposefully minimised their social media presence. (6) Working in a supportive environment is crucial, underscoring the importance of clear and unified team communication.
Conclusion UK PIC trainees feel unprepared and anxious about future high-profile cases. A parallel can be drawn to child protection improvements following significant educational investment after government reports into preventable child abuse deaths. Models for supporting trainees and establishing formal PIC training are required to improve trainees’ confidence and skills in managing high-profile cases. Further research with other professional groups, the families involved and other stakeholders would provide a more rounded picture.
- child health services
- ethics
- intensive care units, paediatric
- paediatrics
Data availability statement
Data are available upon reasonable request. Deidentified participant interview transcripts, are available from Dr Clare Bell, ORCID identifier 0000-0002-8331-5758 reuse is permitted after discussion with the research team in related research.
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Data availability statement
Data are available upon reasonable request. Deidentified participant interview transcripts, are available from Dr Clare Bell, ORCID identifier 0000-0002-8331-5758 reuse is permitted after discussion with the research team in related research.
Footnotes
Twitter @clarebell99
Contributors CEB and JB conceived the presented idea, CEB and JB designed the study, and CEB completed the interviews and coded the data. CEB, JB and MD analysed the data. CEB, JB and MD wrote the manuscript. CEB is the guarantor.
Funding The authors have not declared a specific grant for this research from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.
Competing interests None declared.
Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.
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