131 Me first: helping children and young people to reach an agreement with professionals and parents in health and social care using children and young people centred communication training

Abstract

Introduction A common cause of conflict in paediatric healthcare is disagreement about treatment (Forbat et al., 2015). Improving communication skills of healthcare professionals improves treatment adherence, patient safety and health outcomes for Children and Young People (CYPs) (Zolnierek and Dimatteo, 2009). There are significant challenges to putting CYP centred communication into practice, and young people report that they often feel left out of conversations. Me first has been developed to improve the knowledge, skills and confidence of Health and Social Care Professionals (HSCPs) in shared decision making, incorporating communication training and resources. Aims Me first builds on existing communication skills to support HSCPs to help improve CYP experience and outcomes of care. In training, professionals often highlight challenges that arise when disagreements occur between CYPs, their parents and HSCPs. The aim of the half-day module is to support HSCPs to minimise conflict and encourage shared decision making. Methodology Me first co-designed and piloted a half-day module with a focus on reaching agreements in triadic communication scenarios. A participatory appraisal approach was taken to evaluate the course. Me first training programmes facilitate peer-to-peer learning and provide practical advice, resources, and quality improvement techniques. The website (www.mefirst.org.uk) contains evidence-based learning materials to support Me first training. A communication champions network provides ongoing peer support and training. Results/outcomes The course was over-subscribed with twenty-two attendees. Positive feedback included reports that it was ‘helpful to have time to discuss the underlying feelings of those involved’ and they ‘learned new resources such as traffic light system to help discuss disagreements’. One attendee said they appreciated learning ‘specific phrases to encourage collaboration’ and 10/22 people commented positively on using role plays to develop skills. This module is now included in the Me first training programme.