Using a safe taxi service to transport newborn babies home from hospital.

AIM: To evaluate an intervention to enhance parents' use of car safety seats (CSSs) for their newborn baby's first journey home from the hospital in a population not usually exposed to television, internet and mainstream printed media. METHODS: Parents of newborn babies who did not bring a CSS to the hospital before their baby was discharged were lent a CSS to use in a 'safe taxi' service. All taxi drivers were trained to install the CSS safely. The intervention was evaluated using preprogramme questionnaires and follow-up interviews 4-8 weeks after discharge. RESULTS: Twelve parents participated in the intervention during the study period (January to April 2011) and in the evaluation process. Eleven couples were Jewish and one was Muslim. Most (75%) reported that they had not previously used CSS routinely and the reason was not financial. Following the 'safe taxi' intervention, 83% reported the use of CSS when travelling in all vehicles (excluding buses). On follow-up, most participants reported that the intervention increased their awareness and the use of CSS. CONCLUSION: The intervention, targeted at this specific population, was well received by the parents, increased awareness, changed practices and assured that more newborns travelled home safely in a CSS.

Including children in medical decisions and treatments: perceptions and practices of healthcare providers.

BACKGROUND: With growing awareness of the need to involve children in their own health-related decisions, attention has primarily focused on the concept of assent, or a minor's participation in a research trial or experimental treatment. This study attempts to broaden that focus by examining the perceptions and practices of healthcare providers with respect to the role of children in more routine healthcare decisions and treatments. METHODS: In total, 103 nurses and 40 physicians who work in a hospital in Israel completed self-administered perceptions and practices questionnaires. RESULTS: Many participants agreed that children should be included in decision making. Factors that respondents felt would influence their approach to a particular child included child behaviour (80%), child communication (66%), experience of child, parent and healthcare provider (90%) and type of medical intervention (60%). Responses differed between physicians and nurses. In response to the question 'How often do you suggest the following methods to achieve child participation in treatment?' most respondents reported that they provide an explanation (98%) and recruit the parents (90%). The use of play was reported by only 63% of the professionals. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that many healthcare providers recognize the need to include children in routine health-related practices and outlined factors healthcare providers use in deciding when to include children in medical decisions. Involving children in even the minute aspects of everyday decisions and treatments can allow children to feel part of the process, improve their co-operation, increase their sense of control and affect future healthcare encounters.