P64 Paediatric Telephone Triage: Principles, Practice, and Scenarios

Course programme

This course consists of 6 modules. The modules include lectures, case studies, simulations, quizzes, and discussions. The modules are:

• Module 1: Introduction to Paediatric Telephone Triage  
  • What is paediatric telephone triage and why is it important?
  • What are the skills and competencies required?
  • What are the benefits and challenges?
  • How to manage risks safely?
  • How to modify general telephone triage skills for paediatrics?
     
• Module 2: The Clinical Process and Triage Principles in Paediatric Telephone Triage
  • How to structure a paediatric telephone triage?
  • How to communicate with paediatric patients and their parents?
  • How to use active listening and other communication techniques?
  • How to interpret verbal and non-verbal cues?
  • How to conduct a comprehensive assessment over the phone?
     
• Module 3: Paediatric Pathophysiology and its Impact on Telephone Triage
  • Understanding how airway, breathing, and circulatory differences impact on paediatric telephone triage.
  • Understanding how pregnancy, labour and birth events impact on paediatric telephone healthcare.
    
    
• Module 4: Assessment for Paediatric Conditions in Telephone Triage
  • How to undertake a blind assessment in paediatric telephone healthcare.
  • How to rapidly identify the deteriorating child in telephone healthcare.
     
• Module 5: Identifying Red Flags for Paediatric Conditions in Telephone Triage
  • Ear/Nose/Throat:
    Earache: discharge, bleeding, fever, hearing loss, etc.
     Sore throat: drooling, difficulty swallowing or breathing, swollen glands or tonsils, etc.
  • Respiratory:
    Cough, wheezing, stridor, cyanosis, chest pain, etc.
     Asthma: severe or frequent attacks, poor response to medication, etc.
  • Skin:
    Rash: petechiae, purpura, blisters, swelling, etc.
     Insect bites or stings: allergic reaction, infection, cellulitis, etc.
  • Gastrointestinal:
    Vomiting: blood, bile, projectile, persistent, etc.
    Diarrhoea: blood, mucus, dehydration, etc.
    Abdominal pain: rebound tenderness, guarding, distension, jaundice, etc.
    Constipation: faecal impaction, bowel obstruction, abdominal pain, etc.
     Urinary tract infection: fever
    • Other:
      Fever: signs of dehydration, lethargy, seizures, rash, stiff neck, difficulty breathing, etc.
      Allergies: anaphylaxis, angioedema,
       Headache: head injury.

• Module 6: Communication skills and legal/ethical issues in paediatric telephone triage. 
  • Providing clear, concise, accurate, and relevant information and advice to children and their parents or caregivers over the phone.
    • Dealing with difficult or emotional situations or callers.
    • Documenting and recording telephone triage encounters accurately and appropriately.
    • Using a standardized format and terminology for documentation.
    • Ensuring the quality and security of documentation.
    • Legal and ethical issues such as consent, confidentiality, liability, scope of practice, professional standards, and duty of care.
    • Protecting oneself from legal and ethical risks in paediatric telephone triage.

Led by

TBC