An interactive multimedia approach to preparing children and their families for hospitalisation

Marijke MITCHELL, Michael James KEPPELL, Linda JOHNSTON

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapters

Abstract

This paper describes the rationale, theoretical underpinnings and the process of developing an interactive multimedia preparation program for eight - ten year old children undergoing elective surgery. It is well recognised in the medical literature that hospitalisation is a stressful experience for children and their families. A number of preparation programs (books, hospital tours, education programs) have been designed, implemented and evaluated. Hospital based preparation programs, although successful in addressing the issue, are not well attended in Australia due to the need for the child and family to visit the hospital before hospitalisation. A multimedia preparation program utilised in the home setting before hospitalisation has a number of advantages including the potential to benefit a greater number of children. The other advantages of a multimedia approach include the ability to address the needs of both the child and family before hospitalisation and allow revisiting of information. An added advantage of the approach is the use of a workbook to accompany the child to the hospital setting and reinforce coping strategies learned in the CD-ROM. Copyright © 2003 Mike Keppell.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of the 20th Annual Conference of the Australasian Society for Computers in Learning in Tertiary Education
EditorsGeoffrey CRISP, Di THIELE, Ingrid SCHOLTEN, Sandra BARKER, Judi BARON
Place of PublicationAdelaide, South Australia
PublisherThe University of Adelaide
Pages343-352
ISBN (Print)0975170228
Publication statusPublished - 2003

Citation

Mitchell, M., Keppell, M. J., & Johnston, L. (2003). An interactive multimedia approach to preparing children and their families for hospitalisation. In G. Crisp, D. Thiele, I. Scholten, S. Barker, & J. Baron (Eds.), Interact, Integrate, Impact: Proceedings of the 20th Annual Conference of the Australasian Society for Computers in Learning in Tertiary Education (pp. 343-352). Adelaide, South Australia: The University of Adelaide.

Keywords

  • Nursing
  • Authentic learning environments
  • Multimedia design
  • Paediatric hospitalisation
  • Preparation program

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