byGriffith University

Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

Injuries not only cause physical harm to children but can also present psychosocial challenges for pediatric patients and their families.

Professor Bronwyn Griffin from Griffith University's School of Nursing and Midwifery has led the co-design, pilot implementation, and evaluation of Australia's first electronic post-injury psychosocial screening tool for caregivers of pediatric trauma patients, recently trialed at the Queensland Children's Hospital (QCH).

"Often we'll seechildrenadmitted after incidents such as a low-speed vehicle roll over, dog bite, burns, or even a playground injury," Professor Griffin said. "While we treat the physical injury, post-traumatic stress andemotional distressare common and can significantly impact a child's quality of life for months, even years, after the event.

"Early identification and tailored support improve recovery outcomes, reinforcing the need for a validated, user-friendly screening tool."

The electronic screening tool, co-designed with caregivers andhealth professionals, assesses a child's emotional well-being across key domains including anger and irritability, anxiety, mood, sleep disturbance, pain, physical function, and peer relationships.

Piloted at QCH, the tool was introduced to families during hospital admission, with caregivers able to opt in via a QR Code or text reminders.

Participants then completed brief electronic surveys at follow-up intervals, automatically receiving evidence-based/targeted psychosocial resources, crisis contacts, and GP referral information.

Professor Griffin said caregivers valued the accessibility and responsiveness of the system. "They appreciated staying connected with the hospital and having reassurance about how their child was coping after discharge.

"The tool enhances visibility of children's psychosocial recovery needs and helps hospitals direct trauma family support resources where they're needed most."

The pilot findings demonstrated digital psychosocial screening was both feasible and acceptable to families, paving the way for wider implementation across pediatric trauma services.

Professor Griffin said the research team hoped to adapt and share the tool with otherhealth serviceslocally in Queensland and more broadly across Australia which cared for children who sustained traumatic injuries, ensuring earlyemotional supportbecomes a routine part of recovery care.

Thecodesignand pilot implementationstudy resultsare both published in theJournal of Pediatric Nursing.

More information: Bronwyn R. Griffin et al, Co-design of a paediatric post-trauma electronic psychosocial screen, Journal of Pediatric Nursing (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.pedn.2024.02.004 Ms Tanesha A. Dimanopoulos et al, The acceptability, feasibility and adoption of a co-designed electronic post-injury psychosocial screening tool for carers of children admitted to hospital following injury, Journal of Pediatric Nursing (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.pedn.2025.01.027

Provided by Griffith University