G65(P) A collaborative project with medical students to develop a weekend play scheme improving patient experience on the general paediatric ward. (May 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dyer, E; Grzebyk, A; Lawrence, J
• Is Part Of: Archives of disease in childhood. Volume 104:Supplement 2(2019)
• Page Start: A27
• Page End: A27
• Publication Date: 2019-05
• Subjects: Infants -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Newborn infants -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Fetus -- Diseases -- Periodicals; 618.920105
• DOI: 10.1136/archdischild-2019-rcpch.64
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1359-2998

Abstract

Abstract : Aims: Play hastens recovery, supports pain management, sustains development and helps children process difficult issues. In our DGH there was limited provision for play at weekends resulting in an inferior care experience, leading to boredom and frustration for patients and extra work for practitioners. We aimed to improve this by working with medical students to deliver a weekend play scheme, whilst providing the students with a unique opportunity to work with paediatric patients. Methods: We worked with a paediatric medical school society to develop a weekend play scheme. Student volunteers visited the general paediatric ward at weekends and spent several hours delivering structured bedside play with the patients. We audited the patient experiences both in the week and at weekends, before and after this intervention, using a questionnaire. We also obtained feedback from the student volunteers and parents/carers. Results: When patients and parents/carers were asked to rate the overall weekend play provision, the initial average was 2.7/5. Following our intervention, this increased to 4.5/5. Initially, when asked about structured play provided at the weekend the average rating was 1/5, compared to 4.5/5 during the week. Following the introduction of the weekend play scheme, the weekend rating increased to 3.9/5. This was identical to the new score for structured play during the week, demonstrating an elimination of the previously seen 'weekend effect'. Feedback from student volunteers was very positive, with 100% saying they enjoyed volunteering. Students also felt they learnt from the experience and 83% strongly agreed that they would recommend it to others. One student said: 'It was a great opportunity to be able to interact with patients on the ward and I really became aware of how paediatrics is a holistic specialty, working with the whole family rather than just the patient.' Conclusion: We demonstrated that by collaborating with student colleagues we can provide patients with a positive hospital experience through play, throughout the whole week rather than just during weekdays. This can also provide medical students with a unique and enjoyable way to gain more experience in a paediatric setting.