G636(P) Evaluation of project play, a student-led volunteering scheme

Abstract

Project Play is a student-led volunteering scheme with the premise of allowing students with an interest in paediatrics and child health to regularly assist play specialists in the paediatric A and E, outpatient and inpatient departments. Project Play’s objectives are to foster an environment conductive to play for children, while getting students involved in life on the paediatric wards and increasing their confidence interacting with children of different ages. We aimed to evaluate the students’ experience interacting with children pre-scheme and how these changed after taking part in play sessions. Between October 2015 and June 2018, 125 students enrolled in the scheme. 60 students took part in a pre-scheme survey: 41 had contacts with children twice a month or less (70%) prior to Project Play, while 9 (16%) had weekly and 8 (14%) even less regular contacts. Participants had a wide range of points of contact with children, most commonly volunteering with Teddy Bear Hospital or other schemes (60%), family (57%), teaching (46%), paediatric and GP placements (38%) and baby-sitting (15%). While 37 participants (64%) said they felt comfortable and 8 (14%) very comfortable interacting with children, the remaining 12 participants (22%) felt unsure about their capacity to interact successfully with children. Specific fears of students were around earning children’s trust, being patronising to teenagers, children crying and interacting with parents. 13 participants took part in a post-scheme survey: all of them testified they felt clearly more confident interacting with children after their play sessions, and all recommended Project Play to other students with an interest in child health. Although few participants filled out the post-scheme survey, the results are extremely encouraging. Testimonies of students and play specialists were equally positive: both reported the sessions were well-received by children and their families, and that they felt their own agenda had been fulfilled. The fears the students expressed are common to paediatric practice, and the sessions are a great way to practice different techniques and learn what works for one’s self. In conclusion, we recommend Project Play-like schemes to all UK medical schools.