Understanding the ongoing learning needs of Australian metropolitan, rural and remote paediatricians: Evaluation of a neurology outreach programme

Aim: The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether a neurology outreach teaching programme delivered via video-teleconferencing (6 × 60 min live sessions every 6–8 weeks) is acceptable, contributes to understanding and meets the neurology learning needs of Australian paediatricians from metropolitan, rural and remote areas. Methods: A sample of six NSW sites that joined the neurology outreach programme between 2017 and 2019 (Arm 1) and six interstate sites from QLD, WA and TAS who commenced the programme in 2020 (Arm 2) participated. A mixed-methods survey explored participants' learning needs and value of the programme. Results: Forty-six participants submitted programme evaluation surveys (26 arm 1, 20 arm 2); 9 were removed due to insufficient data (n = 37). Quantitative and qualitative data showed the programme was acceptable in format, relevant to practice, appropriate for clinician learning needs, and engaging. Clinicians reported improvement in understanding and confidence. Participants felt more connected/less isolated and up-to-date. Participants reported a positive impact from the programme on approach to neurological problems and ensuing consults, and more differentiated and appropriate paediatric neurology referrals. Conclusion: This study validates the live video-teleconference outreach model as an acceptable, effective and important means of providing continuing neurology education for Australian paediatricians

Assessment and evaluation

200

Blending individual and social emotions via analytical plurality

This paper explored how analytical plurality can aid the study and understanding of emotions. Specifically, it describes the methodological decisions in an ethnography exploring emotions in palliative care. It is important to consider the benefit of paradigmatic multiplicities in the study of such a nebulous and transient happening as emotion to ‘[think] difference differently, [and] reappropriate available contradictory scripts to create alternative practices of research as a site of being and becoming’ (Lather 2006)

The confluence of mindlines and emotion in community-based palliative care

In this chapter, Michael Hodgins, Ann Dadich, and Jayne Bye present findings from a study in community-based palliative care that reminds us of the important role of emotion in mindlines – a role too often ignored. Their observations of the ways practitioners talk about their patients demonstrate how emotions are assembled within mindlines to help them to cope with dilemmas, to persuade their peers towards different approaches to the care of dying patients, and to establish, and come to terms with, the limits of care. The chapter ends, therefore, by advocating more room for clinicians to engage with their emotions during clinical discussions, which could well benefit the patient and the practitioner

Learning theories and theory application to aviation

200

How emotion promotes multidisciplinary healthcare : an examination of palliative care

Evidence suggests healthcare requires multidisciplinary practices. Yet multidisciplinary practices are often hampered by disciplinary divisions. This is particularly in palliative care, where curing is often juxtaposed against caring. Although research verifies the role of emotion in health(care), this largely considers the emotional sequelae experienced by clinicians, patients, and carers. There is limited recognition of the role of emotion in multidisciplinary practices. This article presents findings from an eight-month ethnography within a community health centre that offered palliative care to patients at home. Findings suggest that emotion can promote multidisciplinary palliative care by: justifying practices; storying and collectivising experiences; and shaping professional identities. These findings have important implications for researchers and clinicians, all of which are discussed

Teaching complex psychomotor skills

200

Quality of life in childhood epilepsy: Validating the QOLCE

2 page(s

Hearing parents' voices : a priority-setting workshop to inform a suite of psychological resources for parents of children with rare genetic epilepsies

Objective: To understand parents' of children with developmental and epileptic encephalopathies needs and preferences for psychological resources. Methods: Using a person-based approach, a multidisciplinary panel of clinician and researchers (n = 9) hosted a priority-setting workshop to 1) understand parents' needs and preferences for psychological resources and 2) to develop ‘guiding principles’ to inform a future suite of psychological resources. The multidisciplinary panel analysed the parent priority-setting workshop data, using a combination of thematic and lexical analysis. Results: Thematic analysis identified six key domains wherein parents (n = 8) prioritised a need for psychological resources to support adaptation to their child's genetic DEE diagnosis. Lexical analysis revealed that connection to diagnosis-specific resources provided a pathway to promote enhanced psychological adaptation, by reducing social isolation and reorienting parents towards feelings of hope. Combination of both analyses generated six thematic informed ‘guiding principles’. Conclusion: Codesigned psychological resources may help parents to cope with the unique and complex interplay of stressors associated with their child's DEE diagnosis and treatment. Our ‘guiding principles’ will be translated to inform a future suite of tailored psychological resources. Innovation: This study demonstrates an innovative codesign approach to inform tailored psychological resources for families of children with rare genetic conditions

Validation of the Quality of Life in Childhood Epilepsy Questionnaire in American epilepsy patients

The aim of this study was to adapt the Australian Quality of Life in Childhood Epilepsy Questionnaire (QOLCE) and determine its psychometric properties in a North American population. Participants were North American families with children diagnosed with epilepsy. Parents were asked to complete the American QOLCE (USQOLCE) and the Child Health Questionnaire (CHQ). Seventy-one families completed the USQOLCE. The internal consistency reliability of the subscales was good. USQOLCE subscales correlated highly with theoretically similar subscales contained in the CHQ. Theoretically dissimilar subscales on the two instruments did not correlate as well. USQOLCE correlated significantly with a parental rating of seizure severity and an independent measure of degree of postoperative seizure control. This study demonstrated that the USQOLCE is suitable for a North American population with evidence of its reliability and validity including its sensitivity to seizure burden.12 page(s