Evaluating the feasibility of a parent-briefing intervention in a pediatric acute care setting

Area of Science:

• Pediatric healthcare communication
• Complex care coordination
• Patient and family engagement

Background:

• Hospitalized children with complex healthcare needs often require coordinated communication between parents and clinical teams.
• Effective communication strategies are crucial for shared decision-making and positive patient outcomes.
• Assessing the feasibility of novel interventions is a critical first step in improving care delivery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the feasibility of a parent-briefing intervention designed for parents of hospitalized children with complex healthcare needs.
• To gather preliminary data on the acceptability and perceived utility of the intervention from both parents and clinicians.

Main Methods:

• A phase I, single-group, posttest feasibility study was conducted.
• Participants included 18 physicians, 25 nurses, and 31 parents.
• Feasibility was assessed via questionnaires completed by parents and clinicians following the briefings.

Main Results:

• A total of 68 parent-briefing sessions were conducted.
• Parents and nurses reported favorable experiences with the intervention.
• Physicians' evaluations of the briefings were mixed, indicating areas for potential refinement.

Conclusions:

• The parent-briefing intervention demonstrates feasibility for use with parents of hospitalized children with complex healthcare needs.
• Further research is warranted to explore the impact of structured communication interventions on parent-professional decision-making.
• Investigating the effects on shared decision-making practices is essential for optimizing care for this vulnerable population.