Ms Erin Brown^1,2, Dr Alexandra De Young¹, Prof Roy Kimble^1,3, Dr Bronwyn Griffin^1,4, Dr Koa Whittingham^2,5, Prof Justin Kenardy²

¹Centre For Children’s Burns & Trauma Research, South Brisbane, Australia, ²School of Psychology, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Australia, ³Pegg Leditschke Children’s Burns Centre, Lady Cilento Children’s Hospital, South Brisbane, Australia, ⁴Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia, ⁵The Queensland Cerebral Palsy and Rehabilitation Research Centre, South Brisbane, Australia

Abstract:

Background. Previous work has identified associations between parental psychological distress and young child distress behavior during acute burn wound care. In order to assist parents with supporting their child during burn wound care, we have developed a short video resource (6 minutes in length) for parents of young children (1-6 years old) presenting for the first burn outpatient dressing change. The video provides parents with psychological support, and behavioral strategies to assist their child during wound care. The video will be presented during this presentation. In addition, a preliminary study was conducted to test the acceptability and potential efficacy of the video resource. Methods. Parents were recruited to 1) provide acceptability feedback regarding the resource, and 2) to compare pilot data (N=8) with a previously observed control group (N=87). The comparative data focused on parent and child behaviour during burn wound care, and ratings of child anxiety and pain. Results. Parents found the video acceptable in terms of delivery and content, and had high intentions and confidence for using the behavioral strategies. The pilot study found parents demonstrated marginally lower rates of distress-promoting behavior compared to a control group, t(11.9)=-1.77, p=.054. In addition, children demonstrated significantly lower rates of distress behavior compared to a control group, t(8.4)=-1.90, p=.044. Thirdly, nurse-reported child peak pain score was significantly lower compared to a control group, t(12.1)=-2.95, p=.001. Conclusions. Take Six is an acceptable resource, and preliminary data indicates it is effective for improving parent and child experiences of burn wound care.

Biography:

Erin Brown has recently completed her PhD with the Centre for Children’s Burns and Trauma Research, and The University of Queensland.