Trigger Warning:  This is a discussion about trauma, death, dying, and resuscitation attempts regarding children/babies. Please refrain from listening if you feel this could be traumatising at this time. There are links for internal (University) and external listeners, if you feel affected or have been affected by any details of this Podcast. 

On this episode: Student Focus: Impacts of parents presence at child’s resuscitation attempts.

We speak to third year student ODP Rohanna Wolley, who discusses the debates around parents being present during cardiac arrests, a topic she delved into for her dissertation. She shares her authentic experience from placement in a children’s hospital, as well as mentors experiences and how these shaped the reason for her dissertation topic, and the need for further understanding for future preparation.

We touch on the balance between the professional nature of being an ODP during resuscitation attempts, whilst still being able to show their emotions and having empathy towards the patient and family members.
Rohanna and I discuss how trauma, death and dying simulations at University have prepared her for clinical placements, understanding the importance of debriefs and the ODP involvement in resuscitation attempts. The literature has suggested that positives can be gained for both healthcare professionals and family members. Parents being present can help with the bereavement process, seeing the severity of the situation and the feeling of being able to have a positive impact by having power/energy to help.  

Would Rohanna prefer to have tuff cuts for fingers, or transpore tape for hair?  

Web links from the show:

Resus Council (2023)
Presence of family members at the clinical emergency of children and babies. Overwhelming evidence to support parental presence at cardiac arrests. Family support team worker – recommended to be assigned during team brief, a HCP that works specifically with the family during cardiac arrests to provide information in simple terms and emotional needs.  

Douma et al., (2021)
What are the care needs of families experiencing cardiac arrest?: A survivor and family led scoping review.
Focus on family member in cardiac arrest
Collaboration between resus team and family
Consideration of family context
Family post-resus needs
Dedicated policies and procedures  

Clark and Mclean (2018)
The professional and personal debriefing needs of ward based nurses after involvement in a cardiac arrest: An explorative qualitative pilot study. Distinction between personal needs and professional needs, and the potential to improve care of patients and nurses.

Sedgwick and Greenwood (2015)
Understanding the Hawthorne effect; how behaviours are changed when people are being observed.  

Wellbeing/Mental Health Support Contacts:
If you are a student or staff member at Staffordshire University and have been affected by any of the topics that have been discussed in this podcast, don’t struggle alone, Staffordshire University are here to help…
Contact Wellbeing Support on 01782 294976 or by emailing studentwellbeing@staffs.ac.uk.  

For external listeners, mental health crisis lines and suicide prevention contacts can be found below. Please reach out if you feel you need to!

NHS Mental Health Services - https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/mental-health-services/where-to-get-urgent-help-for-mental-health/

Mind Support and Services - https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/guides-to-support-and-services/seeking-help-for-a-mental-health-problem/where-to-start/

Samaritans Contact - https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/  

Upcoming Podcasts:
Death within other religions, traumatic events during childhood, human factors and ergonomics, and a LIVE guided meditation.  

Previous Podcasts: 
Race, Transgender, Neurodiversity, Impacts of trauma, Mature student experiences, Transition from student to healthcare professional, and also specialised areas such as mental health, organ transplant teams.  

Want to get involved? Are you a student? Member of staff? A Healthcare worker?
Do you have a topic you would like to share?
 
Get in touch! Let’s Pod!  

Contact The Link podcast team:
@TheLinkPodcast on X (formally Twitter)

Ben W-H - @benw_h on X
                     ben.woodrow-hirst@staffs.ac.uk

Kirsty Egan - @KirstyODP on X
                      e008085c@student.staffs.ac.uk  

Hosted by: Ben Woodrow-Hirst
Produced & Edited by: Ben Woodrow-Hirst & Kirsty Egan
Artwork: Shaun Kelly
Theme Music: Gavin Samway