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Open Access 01-12-2017 | Study protocol

Understanding discharge communication behaviours in a pediatric emergency care context: a mixed methods observation study protocol

Authors: Janet A. Curran, Andrea Bishop, Amy Plint, Shannon MacPhee, Roger Zemek, Jill Chorney, Mona Jabbour, Stephen Porter, Scott Sawyer

Published in: BMC Health Services Research | Issue 1/2017

Abstract

Background

One of the most important transitions in the continuum of care for children is discharge to home. Optimal discharge communication between healthcare providers and caregivers (e.g., parents or other guardians) who present to the emergency department (ED) with their children is not well understood. The lack of policies and considerable variation in practice regarding discharge communication in pediatric EDs pose a quality and safety risk for children and their parents.

Methods

The aim of this mixed methods study is to better understand the process and structure of discharge communication in a pediatric ED context to contribute to the design and development of discharge communication interventions. We will use surveys, administrative data and real-time video observation to characterize discharge communication for six common illness presentations in a pediatric ED: (1) asthma, (2) bronchiolitis, (3) abdominal pain, (4) fever, (5) diarrhea and vomiting, and (6) minor head injury. Participants will be recruited from one of two urban pediatric EDs in Canada. Video recordings will be analyzed using Observer XT. We will use logistic regression to identify potential demographic and visit characteristic cofounders and multivariate logistic regression to examine association between verbal and non-verbal behaviours and parent recall and comprehension.

Discussion

Video recording of discharge communication will provide an opportunity to capture important data such as temporality, sequence and non-verbal behaviours that might influence the communication process. Given the importance of better characterizing discharge communication to identify potential barriers and enablers, we anticipate that the findings from this study will contribute to the development of more effective discharge communication policies and interventions.

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Title: Understanding discharge communication behaviours in a pediatric emergency care context: a mixed methods observation study protocol
Authors: Janet A. Curran
Andrea Bishop
Amy Plint
Shannon MacPhee
Roger Zemek
Jill Chorney
Mona Jabbour
Stephen Porter
Scott Sawyer
Publication date: 01-12-2017
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: BMC Health Services Research / Issue 1/2017
Electronic ISSN: 1472-6963
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-017-2204-5

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Understanding discharge communication behaviours in a pediatric emergency care context: a mixed methods observation study protocol

Abstract

Background

Methods

Discussion

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Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Discussion

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