Abstract
Empirical Paper Abstract Objective: This study aimed primarily to evaluate: (1) the acceptability and meaning of a novel PICU storybooks intervention from the perspective of parents; and (2) the acceptability and feasibility of research procedures designed to investigate its efficacy. Background: Admission to a Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) can be extremely stressful for patients and their parents. Both are at heightened risk of psychological distress, including enduring post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS). Individualised PICU ‘storybooks’ aiming to contextualise the potentially traumatic events may support parents to engage with their children in psychological processing thought to alleviate PTSS. However, documented challenges in PICU research (e.g. low recruitment and high attrition) means acceptability and feasibility issues require investigation before investing resources in novel intervention trials. Method: This mixed methods case-series feasibility study involved the provision of PICU storybooks to a small sample of parent-child dyads and outcome monitoring over 6 months post-discharge. Alongside quantitative information regarding feasibility (e.g. recruitment rates and success of data collection), how parents experienced the intervention and research procedures were explored qualitatively. Results: Problems with recruitment and data collection mean the current methods are not feasible to transfer to a full-scale evaluation trial, although procedures were largely acceptable to parents. Storybooks were perceived by parents as beneficial for helping them and their children to talk and make sense of their experiences. Conclusion: While not possible to conclude that PICU storybooks have a beneficial effect in reducing post-traumatic stress and other forms of distress, parent perceptions of helpfulness suggest this is worth further exploration. Adaptations to the research methodology to improve feasibility are discussed, alongside additional clinical and research implications.