Healthcare professionals' experiences involving Aboriginal families in the paediatric ESCALATION system

Area of Science:

• Paediatric healthcare
• Clinical deterioration
• Family-centered care

Background:

• The Western Australian paediatric ESCALATION system aims to improve early recognition and response to deteriorating hospitalized children.
• Integrating family involvement is a key component of this system.
• Understanding healthcare professionals' perspectives on Aboriginal parent/carer involvement is crucial for system effectiveness.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore healthcare professionals' experiences with Aboriginal parent/carer involvement in identifying clinical deterioration in hospitalized children.
• To identify facilitators and barriers to effective family engagement within the ESCALATION system.
• To inform the development of culturally secure and responsive care strategies.

Main Methods:

• An interpretive descriptive qualitative study was conducted.
• Seventy-two healthcare professionals (nurses and doctors) from three hospitals participated.
• Data were collected through focus groups and interviews, analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis, and mapped to the Practical, Robust Implementation, and Sustainability Model (PRISM).

Main Results:

• Four themes emerged: Interpreting family concern, Building a relationship, Recognising communication barriers, and Culturally secure care is a shared responsibility.
• Healthcare professionals recognized and valued the role of Aboriginal families in detecting deterioration.
• Effective involvement requires strong relationships, Aboriginal Liaison Officer support, cultural awareness, and appropriate communication.

Conclusions:

• Strengthening Aboriginal family engagement in escalating care requires tailored solutions.
• Building trusting relationships and addressing communication barriers are essential.
• Culturally secure care is a collaborative responsibility between healthcare professionals and families.