Training activity information
Details
Prepare patients and perform an EEG recording in children for the following conditions: Hypoxic brain injury Status epilepticus Altered mental state of unexplained cause Subarachnoid haemorrhage Encephalitis Traumatic brain injury
Type
Developmental training activity (DTA)
Evidence requirements
Evidence the activity has been undertaken by the trainee.
Reflection on the activity at one or more time points after the event including learning from the activity and/or areas of the trainees practice for development.
An action plan to implement learning and/or to address skills or knowledge gaps identified.
Reflective practice guidance
The guidance below is provided to support reflection at different time points, providing you with questions to aid you to reflect for this training activity. They are provided for guidance and should not be considered as a mandatory checklist. Trainees should not be expected to provide answers to each of the guidance questions listed.
Before action
- Ensure you have a strong understanding of age-appropriate communication techniques, paediatric electrode placement (which may differ from adults), and specific safety considerations for children in the intensive care setting. What do you need to know about the potential modifications required for EEG recording in children with hypoxic brain injury, status epilepticus, altered mental state, subarachnoid haemorrhage, encephalitis, and traumatic brain injury, taking into account their developmental stage? How will you communicate effectively with the child (if age-appropriate) and their parents or guardians to gain cooperation and ensure they are informed about the procedure? What information do you need to provide?
- What specific skills or knowledge related to paediatric EEG preparation and recording do you aim to gain or improve? What specific practical skills do you hope to develop or refine in preparing paediatric patients for EEG in critical care, such as using distraction techniques or adapting electrode application for smaller head sizes? How do you anticipate improving your ability to adjust the EEG recording technique based on the child’s age, condition, and behaviour? What challenges do you anticipate during the preparation and recording process with paediatric patients, such as movement artefact or difficulty in gaining cooperation, and how do you plan to learn from these challenges?
- Discuss the specific paediatric patient and the planned EEG recording with your training officer, paying attention to any age-related considerations or specific needs of the child. Review the child’s medical history and developmental stage, noting any factors that might influence the EEG or the preparation process. Plan how you will approach communication with the child and their parents/guardians to explain the procedure in an understandable and reassuring manner. Consider any comfort measures or distractions that might be helpful for the child during the EEG recording.
In action
- How are you approaching the preparation of the paediatric patient and the performance of the EEG recording for their specific condition? Why are you choosing these particular methods for engaging with and preparing a child? What decisions are you making in the moment regarding adapting the procedure to the child’s age, cooperation level, and medical status? What aspects of paediatric patient interaction and EEG recording feel more natural, and what requires more thoughtful and deliberate action?
- How effective do you feel your preparation and recording are in obtaining a suitable EEG in the child while minimising distress? What challenges are you facing in gaining the child’s cooperation, managing movement artefact, or adapting standard protocols? What can you learn about performing paediatric EEG in critical care settings as you are carrying out the recording? How does this activity build upon your existing skills in working with paediatric patients and performing EEG?
- Are there alternative strategies you could use to calm the child, explain the procedure in an age-appropriate way, or manage any anxiety? What immediate assistance might you need from colleagues or caregivers if you encounter difficulties during the recording? Are you prioritising the child’s safety and well-being throughout the procedure, making adjustments as necessary?
On action
- Describe the steps involved in preparing the paediatric patient and performing the EEG recording for the specific condition encountered. What specific considerations did you make for the child during preparation and recording? How did you adapt your communication and approach to ensure the child’s cooperation? What challenges did you face in performing the EEG on a child with this condition?
- What did you learn about the specific techniques and modifications required for performing EEG recordings in children with these conditions? Did you gain a better understanding of how to maintain patient safety and dignity during paediatric EEG? How did this experience enhance your understanding of the differences in performing EEG on adults versus children?
- What areas for continued development have you identified in performing EEG recordings on paediatric patients with these conditions? How will you apply the communication and procedural adaptations you learned to future paediatric EEG recordings? What ‘next steps’ will you take to improve your skills in paediatric EEG?
Beyond action
- Have you subsequently performed EEG recordings on paediatric patients with any of these conditions? How did your experiences of performing paediatric EEG recordings compare to your experiences with adults? What specific adaptations were necessary? Have you reviewed video recordings (if available and appropriate) of your paediatric EEG procedures to identify areas for improvement?
- Has your confidence in performing EEG on paediatric patients in critical care settings increased since this activity? How has this hands-on experience informed your ability to troubleshoot issues that may arise during paediatric EEG recordings? Have you applied communication strategies learned during these recordings to other interactions with children and their families?
- What specific skills in paediatric EEG recording and patient management do you feel you have strengthened through these experiences? What are your next steps in further developing your expertise in paediatric neurophysiology procedures?
Relevant learning outcomes
| # | Outcome |
|---|---|
| # 1 |
Outcome
Identify features of normal and abnormal adult and paediatric EEGs within the intensive care setting. |
| # 2 |
Outcome
Prepare patients and environments for testing, maintaining safety and patient dignity. |
| # 3 |
Outcome
Perform EEG recordings in an intensive care setting, with modifications depending on the nature of the patient, including sequential activation procedures, maintaining patient safety. |
| # 4 |
Outcome
Demonstrate effective and compassionate communication skills with all stakeholders including patients and the multidisciplinary team. |