C1.3 Me first: promoting children and young people centred communication in health and social care using innovative educational resources

Abstract

BackgroundResearch suggests that improving communication skills of healthcare professionals improves treatment adherence, patient safety and health outcomes for children and young people (CYP). 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 developed innovative educational resources to help address these challenges and promote CYP centred communication.Design Me first aims to improve health outcomes of CYPs by enhancing the knowledge, skills and confidence of health and social care professionals (HSCPs) in communicating with CYPs.Strategy Me first training and resources have been co-developed with children, young people and HCSPs and have a strong evidence base in research. The Me first communication model is the first communication model designed specifically for CYPs. Me first masterclasses facilitate peer-to-peer learning, and provide practical advice, resources, and quality improvement techniques. In addition to this, the Me first website (www.mefirst.org.uk) contains learning materials to support Me first training, including the model, a hub of resources and tips for practitioners that can be filtered for the user’s specific needs. The impact of Me first masterclasses on CYP-centred care has been evaluated by the Evidence Based Practice Unit at University College London and the Anna Freud Centre using self-report questionnaires and interviews.Results and conclusion98% of professionals attending the Me first masterclass rate the experience overall as four or five out of five (1=poor and 5=excellent). Findings from the independent evaluation demonstrate a significant improvement in HSCPs attitudes towards collaborative practice with CYPs. This was maintained at the four–to-six week follow-up. It also showed that HSCP’s communication behaviours improved.