"Do you hear what I hear"?
"Do you see what I see"?
Do you feel what I feel"?
Working within paediatrics is very different in many ways to adult care- yet there are many similarities, a sentence of confusion for some!
I spend many enjoyable hours sharing skill- and ways of working with both student doctors and student nurses- children, young people and families.
I love the energy they bring, a different view point and new ideas.
For student nurses, medical students and peers I thrive on their passion for learning, but I am also aware that for the creation of ideas, the opportunity for learning, the environment should enhance that.
The same can be said for children and young people and their families coming to stay or visiting the hospital.
The environment plays a huge part in setting the scene, right from the start.
Dr Alison Tonkin (@TonkinAlison) with Kath Evans (@kathevans2) recently brought together the evidence base supporting the argument that environments of care, built specifically to focus on the needs of children and young people- deliver better outcomes.
If better outcomes were achieved through environmental changes- just imagine what could be achieved for health but also for growth, learning and development.
1. Are we making information and the opportunities to ask questions accessible, both to our patients and those learning and working with us?
2. What provisions are there in place for using many forms of communication?
3. Are we nurturing that curiosity- providing platforms for expression in many shapes and forms?
Are we using creativity to its full potential?
3 Little Questions, 3 Times the Impact.
To nurture- is to care for someone or something while they grow, expand, gain confidence- to foster learning, to support and to assist them on a path of growth and discovery.
However in order to nuture others - the practise of self care is just as important.
The same can also be applied to the support offered to children, young people and families within the hospital environment- especially at times of stress and fear.
So in order for us to facilitate and to enhance a environment that fundamentally "nurtures" we could think about the following.
1. Sounds, noises, images and the explanations given.
2. Language used, communication formats, accessibility.
3. Welcome, is it child and family friendly, learning and exploration friendly.?
4. Is it supportive, how do we listen, do we actively respond?
5. Does it encourage sharing , being respecting and enhance ideas?
This is all food for thought.
But the possibilities are endless.
Sian Spencer-little
