A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial Evaluating a Web-Based Training Program on Pediatric Medical Traumatic Stress and Trauma-Informed Care for Emergency Department Staff

Abstract

This pilot parallel group superiority randomized controlled trial investigated the efficacy and acceptability of a web-based training program on pediatric medical traumatic stress and trauma-informed care (Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry number: ACTRN12617001148369). Eligibility criteria for this study included being a nurse or physician working in an ED in Australia or New Zealand, being fluent in English and having Internet access. Emergency department (ED) staff (N = 71) were randomly assigned into the training (n = 32) or control group n = 39). We hypothesized that compared to the control group, ED staff in the training group would show a greater improvement in knowledge of pediatric medical traumatic stress 1-week post training and that improvement would be maintained at 1-month post training. At baseline participants completed a brief questionnaire assessing knowledge of pediatric medical traumatic stress. The training group then completed the 15-min online training program. The knowledge questionnaire was readministered to all participants’ 1 week and 1 month posttraining, after which the control group gained access to the training. Acceptability was based on a program evaluation measure utilizing quantitative and qualitative items. The training group had significantly greater knowledge following training and at follow-up than the control group (p > .001, f = .42) and reported high rates of satisfaction. The results demonstrated an improvement in ED staff knowledge as a result of the training and provide preliminary support for the efficacy and acceptability of brief online training to improve the knowledge of ED staff interested in pediatric medical traumatic stress and trauma-informed care.