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Children with a tracheostomy: experience of their carers in school
- Authors:
- SMITH J.C., WILLIAMS J., GIBBIN K.P.
- Journal article citation:
- Child: Care, Health and Development, 29(4), July 2003, pp.291-296.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Aimed to identify children with a tracheostomy in Nottinghamshire schools and determine their supportt, given that tracheostomies are increasingly performed for chronic medical conditions and there are no published studies reporting school experience. Such information would be valuable in planning care and education. Used a questionnaire survey to families and school carers of 11 such children. All children of school age were in full-time education (5 mainstream, 5 special schools). One preschool child attended a family centre. Four had problems finding suitable carers, delaying return to school in 3. Four parents were dissatisfied with aspects of the child's experience at school: 2 felt teaching staff were unsupportive, one was unhappy with the care of the tracheostomy, and one had problems funding a carer. Ten out of 11 school carers were satisfied with their training; 10 would have liked regular update sessions. The amount of care required varied. Those with complex medical problems in a special school setting needed frequent care, and one had required admission to hospital from school. One child had time off school because of lack of carer availability. The severely disabled had less time off school for ill health after the tracheostomy than before. Concludes that children with tracheostomies can successfully and safely achieve full-time education in both mainstream and special schools. A dedicated multidisciplinary team, including parental input, is essential. Regular revision of skills and information sessions for teaching staff would be beneficial.