Davina Houghton
Curtin University, Australia
Title: An Exploratory Study of Aspects Related to Current Inpatient and Nurse-Led Clinic Management of Idiopathic Childhood Constipation
Biography
Biography: Davina Houghton
Abstract
Evidence relating to the viability and cost-effectiveness of Nurse-led clinics in managing idiopathic childhood constipation will be presented and discussed. A research project reviewed current hospital management, and comprised a: • retrospective audit of medical notes for previous two years (Phase 1), that showed 103 children admitted for 597 days, cost $611,925 (minimum), 29 (21%) and 18 (13%) cases received verbal and written health education respectively, and (excluding General Practitioners) multidisciplinary collaboration occurred in only two cases; and • small-scale prospective survey of parents/carers (n=14) (Phase 2) that showed only two received verbal and two received written health education Idiopathic childhood constipation is a costly, complex, multi-factorial and prevalent condition, requiring early recognition and aggressive treatment to prevent chronicity. The comprehensive literature review demonstrates that the family-centred health education, ongoing and consistent support, and multidisciplinary collaboration undertaken by community-based Nurse-led clinics make them viable in terms of benefits relating to significant improvements in managing idiopathic childhood constipation.