Knowledge and experiences with augmentative and alternative communication by paediatric nurses: a pilot study.

Area of Science:

• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Nursing Education
• Communication Sciences

Background:

• Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) is crucial for patients with complex communication needs (CCN).
• Paediatric acute care nurses play a vital role in supporting these patients.
• A gap exists in nurses' knowledge and training regarding AAC.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe paediatric acute care nurses' experiences and opinions on AAC.
• To identify educational needs for AAC training among these nurses.
• To lay the groundwork for future research and curriculum development.

Main Methods:

• A mixed methods approach was employed.
• Quantitative survey data and qualitative interview data were collected from nurses.
• The study focused on a single paediatric medical centre.

Main Results:

• Nurses reported limited knowledge and experience with AAC.
• A significant need for AAC education was identified.
• Nurses expressed a strong desire and perceived need for more AAC training to enhance patient care.

Conclusions:

• Paediatric nurses require enhanced AAC knowledge and skills.
• There is a need for AAC education and cross-sector collaboration with professionals like speech-language pathologists (SLPs).
• This research provides a foundation for developing targeted AAC training programs for nurses.