Creating a video for teaching
Featuring Ann Beland, BS, RN, CPN, Clinical Educator, and Linda Downs, RN, Tracheostomy
Linda Downs and Ann Beland didn’t know their careers would one day lead to video production. But that’s precisely what happened when they realized there was a critical need to instruct staff, parents, caregivers and patients on proper tracheostomy care.
“We became aware that there was a lack in consistency of how parents were being trained to put in a trach,” Linda says. “We wanted an updated and realistic visual training tool that would alleviate fears and concerns and build their confidence.”
Children’s Memorial is dedicated to providing parents and staff with critical training and instruction using the best tools available. So with a team of coworkers and funding from a Prince Charitable Trust Grant, Ann and Linda set out to produce an instructional tracheostomy care video.
“This video shows real patients in home and hospital settings, so it provides a vivid picture of what to do when your infant or child doesn’t cooperate,” says Ann. “The video was so well-received that we use it to train parents as well new nurses. While it can’t replace hands-on learning, it provides an excellent, non-threatening approach to the care of a child with a trach.”
After many hours of production, filming and editing, the video made its debut.
“This video is about so much more than the mechanics of tracheostomy care,” Linda adds. “We wanted to capture on video parents who had conquered their fears and were now incorporating the care into their daily lives. We wanted parents to see that a child with a tracheostomy could live a normal life and do the things that any child their age could do.”
Children’s Memorial believes in providing quality instruction and resources. “Family-centered care is the cornerstone of our approach,” Ann says. “Children’s Memorial really embraces the involvement of the family.”
The tracheostomy video won two Telly Awards in 2007 for education and health and wellness. But Linda and Ann admit the ultimate reward is the gratitude they get from their patients, parents and coworkers. “Producing this video to help others makes us realize that every day we come to work we’re making a difference in someone’s life.”
[This article is included in the 2008 Nursing Report.]