Pathways to increasing the use of psychosocial care with hospitalized children

Abstract

Trauma-informed care or psychosocial care can prevent or reduce the long-term impacts of hospitalization on children and their families, but few hospital staff members receive formal training in the optimal delivery of this care. This study aimed to (a) identify predictors of staff knowledge, confidence, use, and barriers regarding psychosocial care, and investigate whether these differed by profession; (b) identify pathways to increasing the use of psychosocial care; and (c) understand the association between psychosocial care and staff stress and burnout. Surveys were conducted with staff members (N = 180) within a large pediatric hospital. Questions were based on those used in similar research, and stress and burnout were assessed using the Professional Quality of Life scale. The study found that although all staff members reported using psychosocial care, only 27.2% had received training in these skills. There were no substantial differences in knowledge, confidence, and use of psychosocial care between different professions (medical, nursing, allied health, and administration staff), although nursing staff members reported a higher number of barriers to using psychosocial care. Training was indirectly associated with greater use via greater confidence and greater knowledge. Low confidence and a higher number of barriers were associated with staff burnout, and greater skill use and a higher number of barriers were associated with staff stress. Overall, these findings suggest that training that improves confidence and knowledge may support staff to deliver psychosocial care, with potential benefits for staff well-being.