G214 USING CHILDREN’S VIEWS TO IMPROVE PRACTICE: WHAT THEY SAY ABOUT INJECTIONS

L. C. Haines, P. Kirby, K. Read, M. Lynch, E. Estlin.The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, London, UK

Aims: The study was undertaken to establish whether children of varying ages and illness experience can be supported using appropriate techniques to express their views about a common medical procedure to inform clinical practice.

Method: Focus group discussions (incorporating a draw/write technique for the 3–9 year olds) were undertaken about children’s experiences and perceptions of injections and how they could be improved. Older children (11–17) also discussed what they would teach doctors about giving injections. Consultations with healthy school children were facilitated by teachers; consultations with children with a disability by an experienced researcher and those with children with acute and chronic illness by trained young researchers (16 years).

Results: 74 children were consulted (36 boys 38 girls 3–17 years). Strategies which could improve the experience for children included parental presence, age appropriate distractions, rewards, being properly informed, and personal coping strategies. Children appreciated technically competent, friendly medical staff who told them the truth, invited feedback, and provided pain relief.

Conclusion: Children of all ages including those with a disability were able to understand the question, talk about their experiences and articulate what makes injections easier. Medical staff clearly have a role in improving the experience but children recognise their own ability to help, which should be encouraged. The consultation demonstrated that children of all ages can offer a valuable perspective on medical procedures and wish to be seen as active participants. The children also made it clear that they wanted to be involved in teaching doctors how to communicate with children. The results will be used to inform medical guidance and public information posters.

G215 DEVELOPING A CORE CURRICULUM FOR THE PAEDIATRIC COMPONENT OF VOCATIONAL TRAINING FOR GENERAL PRACTICE BY THE DELPHI TECHNIQUE

AShrivastava.Southend Hospital, Essex, UK

Background: Paediatrics is a popular choice among trainee senior …