Paediatric Hospital Care (Canada)
About this PSP
A large number of children are admitted to hospital with common ailments, such as asthma, chest infections and the stomach flu. Despite being so common, there are few research studies that focus on children who are admitted to hospital with these general conditions, and because of this lack of research, the type of care children receive in hospital varies. To try and address this gap, a Canada wide network (The Pediatric Inpatient Research Network) of health care professionals who are interested in improving the care of children in hospital was set up.
The Pediatric Inpatient Research Network (PIRN) worked with the James Lind Alliance on the Paediatric Hospital Care Priority Setting Partnership to identify the most important unanswered research questions about the care of children in hospital that are important to patients, caregivers, and health care professionals.
The Paediatric Hospital Care (Canada) Top 10 was published in November 2021.
Key documents
Paediatric Hospital Care (Canada) PSP Protocol
Paediatric Hospital Care PSP (Canada) Terms of Reference
Paediatric Hospital Care (Canada) Engagement Summary
Paediatric Hospital Care (Canada) Question Verification form
Paediatric Hospital Care (Canada) Final Report (.PDF)
Paediatric Hospital Care (Canada) Final Report Executive Summary (.PDF)
Top 10 priorities
- What best practices and/or care models exist for inpatient care for children and youth with medical complexity on the general paediatric inpatient unit?
- What methods of communication are most effective between patients, caregivers and health care providers on a general paediatric inpatient unit?
- What are best practices and support strategies for Indigenous parents, families and children and youth on the general paediatric inpatient unit?
- How can we ensure that healthcare delivery in hospital meets the needs of children and youth with developmental disabilities on the general paediatric inpatient unit?
- What are effective support strategies for parents, families and children and youth hospitalized on the general paediatric inpatient unit? (e.g. support groups, private rooms/sleeping arrangements, breastfeeding support, physical activity, making the ward more adolescent-friendly, screen time)
- What mental health supports can be provided to parents, families and children and youth while hospitalized on the general paediatric inpatient unit?
- What are effective ways to incorporate shared decision-making with parents and children/youth hospitalized on the general paediatric inpatient unit? ("Effectiveness” defined as length of stay, caregiver confidence)
- What are effective strategies to mitigate the impacts of prolonged inpatient hospitalizations on the general paediatric inpatient unit? (e.g. addressing unmet needs, prolonged separation from family)
- What are effective alternatives to shorten length of stay for hospitalized children and youth on the general paediatric inpatient unit? (e.g. hospitalization at home, early discharge with close and regular follow-up)
- What are the most effective communication methods (e.g. handover, rounds, etc.) between healthcare providers on a general paediatric inpatient unit?
The following questions were also discussed and put in order of priority at the workshop:
- What is the most effective way to conduct medical rounds, including how to involve caregivers and patients in the decision making while on the general paediatric inpatient unit?
- Are ongoing mental health assessments for patients admitted to a general paediatric inpatient unit beneficial?
- What is the impact of the patient’s room/environment on health outcomes on the general paediatric inpatient unit? (e.g. noise, lights, private/shared room, window/no window)
- What is the most effective way to obtain and maintain intravenous (IV) access in children and youth hospitalized on the general paediatric inpatient unit?
- What are effective methods (e.g. education) to prepare families for discharge from the general paediatric inpatient unit?
- When is it appropriate to involve allied health care professionals (e.g. occupational therapy [OT], physiotherapy [PT], child life specialists) in the care of children/youth hospitalized on the general paediatric inpatient unit?
Document downloads
For full details of all of the questions identified by this PSP, please see the document below.