Young people who have caring responsibilities, usually for a family member, can experience a range of adverse mental and physical health outcomes. Healthcare professionals have a crucial role in providing these individuals with support, however there is inadequate recognition and identification of young carers who access healthcare services. This systematic literature review aimed to explore the experiences of healthcare professionals in identifying and supporting young carers. Seven studies were selected for review. Thematic analysis generated four themes: knowledge and perceptions of young carers; the challenge of identification; individual versus family approaches to supporting young carers; and interdisciplinary working. Overall, the findings indicate a need for further education of healthcare professionals about young carers, and a more proactive and holistic family-based assessment approach to enhance identification of young carers and provide them with the support they require.
A rash in a child can cause significant anxiety to the parents but rarely indicates serious illness. When children's nurses come across children presenting with a rash, they need the skills and confidence to distinguish between those who likely have a serious condition that warrants urgent escalation, those who likely have a clinically significant condition where appropriate interventions are important, and those who likely have a benign condition that will resolve by itself. Nurses also need to be able to use professional terminology in their descriptions of rashes and to conduct accurate skin assessments across skin tones. By combining clinical vigilance, compassionate communication, clear explanations and effective safety-netting, nurses can manage the care of children presenting with a rash confidently and reassure the children's parents.
Fever is common in children and a common reason why they present to healthcare services. In many cases, fever in a child is caused by a mild, self-limiting infection, but it can sometimes indicate a serious condition requiring urgent treatment. Fever in a child tends to cause concern for their parents, who are often keen to reduce it; however, fever has an important role in boosting the immune response to infection. Understanding the mechanisms and manifestations of fever in children is crucial for children's nurses to provide optimal care to patients and explain to parents how to care for a febrile child at home. This article provides an overview of thermoregulation and the physiology and role of fever. It also discusses the assessment of children presenting with fever, as well as the education and advice that nurses can give to parents.
Paediatric pain has been identified in the literature as being undertreated and often misdiagnosed. This article details a scoping review that aimed to identify the facilitators and barriers to using pain assessment tools for children and young people with developmental disabilities. Two themes were identified as barriers to pain assessment: inexperience of healthcare professionals; and a lack of education for healthcare professionals. Two themes were identified as facilitators of pain assessment: parental assistance and knowledge; and education and training for healthcare professionals. The scoping review identified a significant gap in research into pain assessment for children and young people with developmental disabilities, particularly those receiving care in a hospice setting. The authors also explore how improvements can be made to practice to ensure equitable healthcare delivery for this group.
The UK has among the highest mortality rates in Europe for young people with asthma, with inadequate patient education cited as a contributing factor. This literature review aimed to explore the efficacy of video-based resources for educating young people about their chronic long-term condition. Ten studies were reviewed, most of which were randomised controlled trials, and seven of which were conducted in outpatient settings in the US by the same research collaborative. The findings show that, although video-based educational interventions improved participants' knowledge about their condition, these were not superior to other educational approaches. Further, no consistent improvement in medicine adherence, disease control or quality of life was demonstrated. Video-based education for young people appears to be most effective when used to support healthcare professional-led education rather than as a standalone intervention. Nurses and other healthcare professionals should incorporate structured education into consultations with young people and use a range of resources to ensure that their differing needs are met.
Unlike many other safeguarding concerns, child criminal exploitation frequently occurs outside the family home, and can therefore be challenging for professionals such as nurses, social workers, police and teachers to identify. Through their regular contact with children and young people, school nurses are well placed to identify early indicators of criminal exploitation. The author undertook a narrative literature review to examine how the knowledge and practice of professionals influence the identification of child criminal exploitation, with a focus on the role of school nurses in detection and safeguarding. While school nurses are well placed to help prevent child criminal exploitation and promote welfare-focused responses, their effectiveness in doing so is limited by a lack of specialist education, professional autonomy and recognition of their role within the multiple agencies involved in child protection.
Autistic children and young people may be more likely than their peers to access healthcare services, but little is known about their experiences of healthcare as the literature tends to focus on the experiences of autistic adults and the views of healthcare professionals. The literature review detailed in this article aimed to gather evidence on the experiences of autistic children or young people and their parents in accessing healthcare services. Following a database search and screening, seven articles were selected for review. None of the studies captured children's experiences but the findings offer some insight into parents' views. Four main themes emerged from the data analysis: importance of the healthcare professional; relationship between families and staff; impact on parents; and healthcare services and environment. These themes encompass the need for: effective relationships between staff and parents to ensure the provision of family-centred care; further education among professionals in caring for autistic children and young people to enhance their experiences of healthcare; and greater flexibility in healthcare services to accommodate the needs of autistic children and young people and their families.
On 1 February 2021, the military took control of Myanmar (formerly Burma) in a coup d'état, which had a devastating effect on Myanmar's healthcare workers, healthcare system and care of children. Within hours of the coup, healthcare workers reached out for support to the UK clinicians they had worked with for the preceding decade. This article details the virtual support and learning package, developed by the UK health community and the Myanmar diaspora, offered to nurses and other healthcare workers in the two years after the military coup and subsequent civil war. The package, which was developed in consultation with nurses and doctors in Myanmar, had a particular focus on child health and comprised a clinical guidance website, clinical skills videos and a nurse education programme. The authors present the results of an evaluation of usage of the virtual package, discuss the challenges of delivering virtual support in conflict settings and outline key learning points and their transferability to other conflict settings and emergencies.
Non-traumatic (unexplained) fractures in neonates and children are often detected incidentally and present considerable diagnostic complexity. Nurses have a central role in early recognition, prevention and safe care, yet the synthesis of risk factors and nursing management is limited. This review aimed to synthesise evidence on risk factors for non-traumatic fractures in neonates and children and on the nursing management interventions reported to mitigate risk and improve outcomes. Nine studies were reviewed, including two quality improvement (QI) projects undertaken in neonatal intensive care units. Four main risk factor themes emerged from content analysis and narrative synthesis analysis - prematurity and low birthweight, comorbidities, medicines and nutrition - with additional influences from sex and maternal characteristics. Synthesis of the nursing interventions in the two QI projects identified that a multidisciplinary approach to screening, nutritional optimisation, staff education and 'handle with care' signage reduced non-traumatic fracture rates. Non-traumatic fracture risk in neonates and children is multifactorial, with nursing evidence concentrated in neonatal settings. Nurse-led screening and prevention protocols are research priorities.
BACKGROUND:The use of simulation can be effective in developing empathy in nursing students. This is particularly valuable in children's nursing where caring for the emotional needs of parents is a fundamental aspect of learning. AIM:To evaluate the use of infant simulation dolls by students undertaking a BSc (Hons) nursing (child) programme in one university in England, and to assess their value in simulation-based learning and in students' development of empathy with the parenting experience. METHOD:Thirty-seven first-year students were each provided with an infant simulation doll to care for at home for one week. Following completion of the simulation experience, 18 students completed an online survey comprising closed questions with free-text space for expanding on their answers. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics and qualitative data were analysed thematically. FINDINGS:Five themes emerged: practical use of the doll; views and value of the experience; preparation for and relevance to clinical placement practice; development of empathy for parents; and ideas for other potential uses. Overall, the respondents reported that the simulation experience was positive and provided them with a greater understanding of the demands and emotional toll of parenting. Some respondents highlighted technical challenges with the software and the limited realism of infant simulation dolls. CONCLUSION:Infant simulation dolls can enhance empathy and reflective learning in children's nursing students, supporting family-centred practice and complementing traditional educational approaches.
Acute post-operative bladder spasm (APBS) is a painful and distressing condition that commonly occurs in children and young people following urological surgery. Healthcare professionals caring for these patients should anticipate the occurrence of APBS after certain urological surgical procedures and understand how pain caused by APBS differs from general post-surgical pain. This article outlines the incidence, symptoms and pathophysiology of APBS and highlights the importance of a multimodal management strategy involving a range of non-pharmacological and pharmacological measures and interventions. By enhancing their understanding of APBS and its clinical management, children's nurses can alleviate pain and support post-operative recovery for children and young people as well as reduce distress for children and young people and their families.
BACKGROUND:Emotional regulation is central to the mental health of adolescents and young adults. Adaptive coping supports resilience, while maladaptive patterns increase vulnerability. Despite its importance, emotional regulation among young people in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is underexplored. AIM:To identify common emotional regulation strategies among adolescents and young adults in the UAE and examine the influence of social, cultural and technological factors on their emotional well-being. METHOD:A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 394 adolescents (11-18 years) and young adults (19-20 years) from schools and universities in three UAE emirates. Respondents completed bilingual questionnaires and scenario-based vignettes, incorporating items from validated tools and custom measures. Descriptive statistics were used for analysis. RESULTS:Most respondents (69-88%) used adaptive coping, although some (12-31%) reported maladaptive responses. Few practised mindfulness (25%) or used digital tools (24%), while 70% reported academic stress, 77% sleep problems, 45% anxiety and 40% sadness. Family support was limited (42%), with peer and school support moderate. CONCLUSION:Culturally relevant, bilingual interventions integrating school programmes, family engagement and digital tools are needed. Consideration is given to the relevance of these findings in the specific context of the UK.
