The POPPY Project: Perspectives on Procedural Practices from Young People
Research lead
Sage O’Shea (Hay)
E: Nursing.Research@rch.org.au
Research team
Jenny O’Neill, Sharon Kinney, Stacey Richards, Meaghan Hawley, Maria McCarthy, Nicole Pope & Fiona Newall
Why this research matters
In paediatric practice, procedural experiences shape not only how children and their caregivers feel in the moment, but also how they engage with healthcare in the future. When procedures are not well planned, or a child becomes overwhelmed and distressed, a degree of physical holding, by a caregiver or healthcare professional may be used. Yet despite how common this practice is, in paediatric settings, we know very little about how children, young people, and caregivers perceive their procedural experiences.
About the project
This research explored how children and young people perceive physical holding during medical procedures within a paediatric hospital environment, and aimed to understand how children and young people can be best supported during these procedures.
Children and young people aged 5-17 years, from inpatient and outpatient areas across the hospital joined the POPPY Project. The project team adopted an arts-based ‘draw, write and tell’ approach during qualitative interviews. Participants could choose to “draw and chat” or “just chat,” creating an engaging space where children could share their experiences with the researchers in their own way.
Progress to date
Data collection and analysis for this project is now complete. In total, sixteen children and young people participated. Each interview was unique and insightful. Local dissemination of findings is underway and research lead, Sage O’Shea, is currently preparing findings for publication.
Findings
Children and young people's healthcare experiences were found to be shaped by three key elements: Support, Communication, and Choice. Together, these principles underpin seven practical priorities that can guide procedural care. These priorities should be used to inform procedural planning and delivery, and as a framework for reflection and learning when procedures do not go as expected.
Beyond the research, in the clinical setting
The Plan With Me poster was developed from findings of the POPPY Project to help translate research evidence into everyday clinical practice. Informed by the experiences of children and young people, the poster provides a visual guide to seven practical priorities that can support positive procedural experiences. It was co-designed with a young person, ward nurse, Child Life Therapist, and Clinical Nurse Consultants from Nursing Research and Comfort Kids.
This research has been made possible through a donation from the McDonald Family, in memory of their mother Dorothy (nee Hogg) McDonald and the support of the Royal Children’s Hospital Foundation.