Responding to the psychological needs of children following admission to paediatric Intensive Care for paediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome: A Narrative Therapy based Photography Workshop.

This article briefly describes the development of a novel narrative therapy-based photography workshop group for children following acute hospital admission for Paediatric Inflammatory Multisystem Syndrome temporally associated with SARS-CoV-2 (PIMS-TS). The workshop was a collaboration between the psychology team, an artist and the medical multi-disciplinary team (MDT) to develop a group during the COVID-19 pandemic. The aims were to reduce isolation and promote resilience and psychological recovery post discharge from hospital. Nine children aged 8-11 years joined the photography group. Parents (n = 8) and children (n = 8) provided feedback on the group through semi-structured telephone interviews. Thematic analysis of the interviews identified three narrative themes for parents: reducing isolation through shared experience, creative activity as a different experience of hospital, and the positive sharing of experiences after the day. The resulting narrative themes for the children included that the workshop was a fun and interactive day and an opportunity to share in hospital experience with peers.

PIMS-TS: the psychological needs of families admitted to intensive care

BackgroundPaediatric Inflammatory Multisystem Syndrome (PIMS-TS) is a rare inflammatory condition affecting children and young people (CYP) weeks after infection with the COVID-19 virus. The aim of this study was to understand the potential psychological needs of these families.MethodsPIMS-TS patients and their parents admitted to the hospital between April 2020 and May 2021 were reviewed by a psychologist 6–8 weeks post discharge, as part of their clinical care. Young people over the age of 7 were asked to complete 2 measures for psychological distress and PTSD symptoms (CRIES-13 and PIED) and their parent/carer completed a measure of PTSD symptoms (IES-R). Ethical approval was not required for this study.Results118 CYP and parents/carers who were admitted to GOSH were screened 6–8 weeks post discharge. 85 of the 118 CYP were aged 8 or over.76.8% (n=91) of parents/carers completed the IES-R, 78% (n=66) of CYPs completed the PIED, and CRIES.15% (n=10) of CYPs scores on the PIED suggested they were at risk of anxiety and depression. 24% (n=16) of CYPs reported clinically significant difficulties for PTSD on the CRIES-13, placing them in high probability of for a diagnosis of PTSD.35% of parents/carers met the threshold for clinical concern on IES-R, with 23% (n=21) scoring in the range for a likely diagnosis of PTSD.DiscussionThe findings of both the self-report screening questionnaires, indicate that significant number for CYP and their parent/carers are at risk of developing symptoms of psychological distress and trauma in 6–8 week period post discharge after PIMS-TS admission.ConclusionThe result of this study clearly show identification of high levels of trauma and emotional distress for the CYP and their parents and carers, and a potential need for ongoing psychological support to be provided as part of on-going care.

Evaluation of a creative photography workshop for children and young people following a diagnosis of PIMS-TS

BackgroundPaediatric Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome Temporally Associated with SARS-CoV-2 (PIMS-Ts) is a rare inflammatory condition affecting children and young people (CYP). Many CYP report behavioural/mood changes, concentration difficulties and increased isolation, which for some occurred following an admission to intensive care. This workshop aimed to reduce CYPs’ experiences of isolation using a strength-based Narrative Therapy group approach.MethodsThe workshop was co-facilitated by a photography artist, psychologists and ID clinical team in local gallery to create a safe, therapeutic space. The workshop involved activities to allow CYP to explore their identity through the use of photography, and to enable them to share their stories of their PIMS-TS experiences with their peers.The participants completed pre and post outcome evaluation measures and a free text feedback form. Two weeks following the workshop, parents/carers and CYP were contacted to participate in a semi structured interview to evaluate the impact of the workshop on CYP relationship to their health condition and hospital experience.ResultsThe workshop was attended by 9 CYP (aged 8–11 years). Participants indicated that the workshop had led to increased comfort and confidence in talking about their health condition and that they had appreciated the opportunity to meet other CYP.DiscussionFeedback suggests that an arts-based workshop was an effective peer support-based psychological intervention.ConclusionThese findings suggest that there are psychological benefits to narrative therapy-based arts group for CYP post discharge, to share and reflect on their health and hospital experiences with those who have lived through similar experiences. Given that treatment protocols are still being refined for PIMS-TS, the findings of this project suggest that CYP and families may benefit from follow-up interventions to better understand and identify their psychological needs post diagnosis.