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A web-based programme for person-centred learning and support designed for preschool children with long-term illness:
Anna-Lena Hellström1, Agneta Simeonsdotter Svensson, Ingrid Pramling Samuelsson
1Institute of Health and Care Sciences, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, P.O. Box 457, 405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden ; Urotherapy Department, Queen Silvia Children's Hospital, 416 85 Gothenburg, Sweden ; Centre for Person-Centred Care (GPCC), University of Gothenburg, P.O. Box 100, 405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden.
Insights
This study introduces a person-centered, web-based learning program using SKYPE to support chronically ill children. It effectively enhanced children
Area of Science:
- Child Health
- Psychosocial Well-being
- Digital Health Interventions
Background:
- School-aged children with chronic illnesses face risks of psychosocial ill health and poor treatment adherence.
- There is a critical need for interventions promoting health, well-being, and self-esteem in this vulnerable population.
- Existing support methods may not adequately address the unique needs of children managing long-term health conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe and evaluate a novel person-centered, web-based learning and support concept for chronically ill children.
- To assess the feasibility and effectiveness of using SKYPE for remote interaction between children and a web teacher.
- To explore the learning process concerning feelings, relationships, and personal integrity within the intervention.
Main Methods:
- A two-step development and testing process for the web-based intervention.
- Utilized SKYPE for real-time conversations between 12 preschool children and a web teacher.
- Employed phenomenography to analyze tape-recorded conversations, focusing on intervention quality, content, and support.
Main Results:
- Children found communication with the web teacher via SKYPE engaging and interesting.
- The intervention facilitated discussions about relationships and feelings, fostering learning and understanding for daily life.
- Measurable research and documentation patterns, including well-being, resources, needs, and wishes, were identified.
Conclusions:
- The person-centered, web-based learning approach using SKYPE shows promise for supporting chronically ill children.
- The intervention effectively promoted children's ability to discuss emotions and relationships, enhancing their psychosocial well-being.
- This digital health strategy provides a valuable framework for research and practical support in pediatric chronic illness care.
Abstract:
For children living with long-term illness, school age is a risk period with regard to psychosocial ill health and poor compliance with treatment. There is a need for methods to promote health, well-being, and self-esteem. This study describes a new concept for supporting children, person-centred web-based learning and support, which has been tested in 12 preschool children and incorporates learning about feelings, relationships, and the right to integrity. SKYPE was used for conversations between the child and the web teacher. Methods. The programme was developed and tested in two steps. The conversations were tape-recorded and analysed using phenomenography. The questions addressed concerned the quality of the intervention process: accessibility of intervention, learning content and support, and identification of measurable items and patterns. Findings. The children found it interesting to communicate with their web teacher using SKYPE. The story about Max and Sara served as a good basis for discussion, and development was found in the learning process. The children were able to talk about relations and feelings and developed an understanding for use in new situations in their daily lives. Items and patterns that are useful for research and documentation were identified, for example, well-being, resources, needs, and wishes.
