A pilot randomized controlled trial evaluating a web-based training program on pediatric medical traumatic stress and trauma-informed care for emergency department staff.

This pilot parallel group superiority randomized controlled trial investigated the efficacy and acceptability of a web-based training program on pediatric medical traumatic stress and trauma-informed care (Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry number: ACTRN12617001148369). Eligibility criteria for this study included being a nurse or physician working in an ED in Australia or New Zealand, being fluent in English and having Internet access. Emergency department (ED) staff (N = 71) were randomly assigned into the training (n = 32) or control group n = 39). We hypothesized that compared to the control group, ED staff in the training group would show a greater improvement in knowledge of pediatric medical traumatic stress 1-week post training and that improvement would be maintained at 1-month post training. At baseline participants completed a brief questionnaire assessing knowledge of pediatric medical traumatic stress. The training group then completed the 15-min online training program. The knowledge questionnaire was readministered to all participants’ 1 week and 1 month posttraining, after which the control group gained access to the training. Acceptability was based on a program evaluation measure utilizing quantitative and qualitative items. The training group had significantly greater knowledge following training and at follow-up than the control group (p> .001, f = .42) and reported high rates of satisfaction. The results demonstrated an improvement in E...
Source: Psychological Services - Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Source Type: research