Examining the needs of paediatric nurses caring for children and young people presenting with self-harm/suicidal behaviour on general paediatric wards : findings from a small-scale study

Fisher, G; Foster, C

Abstract

Purpose: This paper reports on the process and findings from a small-scale qualitative research study. The study intended to develop an evidence-based care plan/pathway for children and young people in paediatric inpatient settings presenting with self-harm/suicidal behaviour. It includes a critical review of unanticipated challenges of recruiting to the study, and the learning from this process.

Design: Data is reported from three data collection strategies. A critical review of literature and policy was undertaken. The Delphi Technique was used to generate clinician-reported evidence from healthcare professionals within a paediatric general ward; caring for children and young people presenting with self-harm/suicidal behaviour. Face to face consultations were undertaken in order to gain greater understanding of challenges to recruitment that were encountered.

Results: Despite evidence of participant’s possessing sufficient knowledge to care for young people engaging in self-harm/suicidal behaviour, participants reported discomfort, fear of the consequences of their perceived knowledge gaps, and negative assumptions about the young people. This appears to have directly impacted upon the ward staff’s capacity to engage in the process of developing an evidence-based care plan/pathway.


Practice Implications: Recommendations, include bespoke training and support for staff working within general paediatric wards caring for young people who engage in self-harm/suicidal behaviour that accounting for the specific challenges/anxieties faced by nurses within this setting, are discussed.

Citation

Fisher, G., & Foster, C. (2016). Examining the needs of paediatric nurses caring for children and young people presenting with self-harm/suicidal behaviour on general paediatric wards : findings from a small-scale study. Child Care in Practice, 22(3), 309-322. https://doi.org/10.1080/13575279.2015.1118013

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Sep 15, 2015
• Online Publication Date: Jan 11, 2016
• Publication Date: Jan 11, 2016
• Deposit Date: Oct 22, 2015
• Journal: Child Care in Practice
• Print ISSN: 1357-5279
• Electronic ISSN: 1476-489X
• Publisher: Routledge
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 22
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 309-322
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/13575279.2015.1118013
• Keywords: Care plan/pathway, Delphi technique, Paediatric general wards, Paediatric nursing, Self-harm, Suicidal behaviour, Young people, Adolescents
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13575279.2015.1118013
• Related Public URLs: http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/cccp20#.VikDfaKuzTo