- Email: [email protected]
UPDATE
U P D A T E
PAEDIATRIC ORTHOPAEDIC SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP The UK Paediatric Orthopaedic Special Interest Group (POSIG) was established 2 years ago. Such a network, with all its additional opportunities, was previously missing for staff working on specific paediatric orthopaedic wards and especially those caring for a small number of children with orthopaedic problems, either on a general ward or in the community. The group is affiliated to the RCN Children’s Surgical Nursing Forum (CSNF) as a sub group, and has strong links with the Society of Orthopaedic Nursing. Although still relatively in its infancy, and with a moderate membership, the group is highly valued by its members, who feel it is important to have separate independent representation. Although the nursing care of the child with an orthopaedic problem has similarities to the care of the surgical child and the orthopaedic patient, there are issues that are very specific. Such as congenital deformities, the impact on the child and family when caring for a child in a hip spica, providing normality for the growing and developing child throughout the orthopaedic disease process as in Perthes disease, traction at home and schooling for the child with a mobility problem. The list is endless, and whilst we recognize that every other special interest group may have their own similar list, we as nurses looking after the orthopaedic child seek only to provide the best care through updating ourselves with best practice around the country. The group has given rise to the opening of new channels for networking, enabling an increase in knowledge and learning from collective experience and expertise. Road shows are now the norm, with a focus on a specified topic allowing members to update themselves and become involved in problem–solving discussions, often with the opportunity to participate in a hands-on fashion, such as our next meeting looking at traction. By liasing and joining for meetings with other groups we are able to share best practice, for example involvement with
Journal of Orthopaedic Nursing (2001) 5, 104 © 2001 Harcourt Publishers Ltd
surgical issues such as pain control and pre- and post– operative care of the child. An area where liaison work is effective is in the Accident and Emergency department, the first port of call for children sustaining trauma. By working closely with the A & E staff, the paediatric orthopaedic nurse can make a difference in the early management. Southampton General Hospital has written a joint protocol for the management of the child with a fractured femur following admission to the department. This involves the paediatric orthopaedic nurse at the beginning of treatment and aims for a unified approach to the child’s care. Our members have found it useful to have access to support and advice and, with permission, staff have made available their telephone numbers listing the more common areas of expertise that they work with. Minutes from all meetings and road shows are distributed giving feedback and news of future topics, advertising conferences of interest as well as the CSNF meetings. This is also a vehicle for acknowledging and informing members of current research being undertaken, encouraging work collaboration and combining efforts, thus preventing small pockets of duplicated work. Another important issue for members of the POSIG is education. We all know about lifelong learning, but choosing the course relevant to your work is not always easy and accessibility to courses can be problematic. There are a number of paediatric orthopaedic modules on offer, but what is needed is a distance-learning package. I am aware that discussions and plans are underway to provide this and let hope in future this becomes reality. The POSIG welcomes new members, and looks forward to working together, combining efforts to enhance care for children. The only criteria are to have commitment and interest in the care of the orthopaedic child. For information and application form please contact: Julia Judd Joint Chair POSIG, c/o Ward G3, Southampton General Hospital, Tremona Rd, Southampton Hants SO16 6YD, UK. Tel.: 023 8079 4991
PAEDIATRIC ORTHOPAEDIC SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP The UK Paediatric Orthopaedic Special Interest Group (POSIG) was established 2 years ago. Such a network, with all its additional opportunities, was previously missing for staff working on specific paediatric orthopaedic wards and especially those caring for a small number of children with orthopaedic problems, either on a general ward or in the community. The group is affiliated to the RCN Children’s Surgical Nursing Forum (CSNF) as a sub group, and has strong links with the Society of Orthopaedic Nursing. Although still relatively in its infancy, and with a moderate membership, the group is highly valued by its members, who feel it is important to have separate independent representation. Although the nursing care of the child with an orthopaedic problem has similarities to the care of the surgical child and the orthopaedic patient, there are issues that are very specific. Such as congenital deformities, the impact on the child and family when caring for a child in a hip spica, providing normality for the growing and developing child throughout the orthopaedic disease process as in Perthes disease, traction at home and schooling for the child with a mobility problem. The list is endless, and whilst we recognize that every other special interest group may have their own similar list, we as nurses looking after the orthopaedic child seek only to provide the best care through updating ourselves with best practice around the country. The group has given rise to the opening of new channels for networking, enabling an increase in knowledge and learning from collective experience and expertise. Road shows are now the norm, with a focus on a specified topic allowing members to update themselves and become involved in problem–solving discussions, often with the opportunity to participate in a hands-on fashion, such as our next meeting looking at traction. By liasing and joining for meetings with other groups we are able to share best practice, for example involvement with
Journal of Orthopaedic Nursing (2001) 5, 104 © 2001 Harcourt Publishers Ltd
surgical issues such as pain control and pre- and post– operative care of the child. An area where liaison work is effective is in the Accident and Emergency department, the first port of call for children sustaining trauma. By working closely with the A & E staff, the paediatric orthopaedic nurse can make a difference in the early management. Southampton General Hospital has written a joint protocol for the management of the child with a fractured femur following admission to the department. This involves the paediatric orthopaedic nurse at the beginning of treatment and aims for a unified approach to the child’s care. Our members have found it useful to have access to support and advice and, with permission, staff have made available their telephone numbers listing the more common areas of expertise that they work with. Minutes from all meetings and road shows are distributed giving feedback and news of future topics, advertising conferences of interest as well as the CSNF meetings. This is also a vehicle for acknowledging and informing members of current research being undertaken, encouraging work collaboration and combining efforts, thus preventing small pockets of duplicated work. Another important issue for members of the POSIG is education. We all know about lifelong learning, but choosing the course relevant to your work is not always easy and accessibility to courses can be problematic. There are a number of paediatric orthopaedic modules on offer, but what is needed is a distance-learning package. I am aware that discussions and plans are underway to provide this and let hope in future this becomes reality. The POSIG welcomes new members, and looks forward to working together, combining efforts to enhance care for children. The only criteria are to have commitment and interest in the care of the orthopaedic child. For information and application form please contact: Julia Judd Joint Chair POSIG, c/o Ward G3, Southampton General Hospital, Tremona Rd, Southampton Hants SO16 6YD, UK. Tel.: 023 8079 4991