What happened when we invited design students into the PICU

We are all problem solvers. We are accustomed to applying the scientific method and quality improvement models to deliver better care. Design thinking is an approach to solving problems that emphasizes a human-centred and iterative process to create innovative solutions. Six years ago, we invited design students into the PICU to see if we could find better ways of teaching congenital heart disease. This is the story of that journey.

NAIDOC Week – For Our Elders: celebrating the valuable contribution of Elders in the work of the Melbourne Children’s Campus

This year’s NAIDOC Week Theme, ‘For Our Elders’ celebrates the valuable contribution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders in all areas of Australia. Please join Melbourne Children’s Campus leaders in Aboriginal and Torres Islander healthcare in a panel discussion about the crucial role that Elders play in our services, programs, care and research. The panel aims to acknowledge and celebrate the often hidden guidance, influence and advocacy of Elders in health.

A Culture of Respect is possible: but it doesn’t just happen

Respectful collegial relationships are a foundation for excellent healthcare; disrespect among colleagues limits the potential of efforts on behalf of patients. Rude, condescending, and ostracising acts may look trivial on the surface, but they harm the hospital’s mission and the wellbeing of its people. In this talk Professor Michael Leiter will demonstrate that workgroups can improve their expressions of respect to one another, with benefits for their wellbeing, including reduced burnout and mental distress.

Building a 21st Century Learning Healthcare System

The healthcare informatics landscape is changing rapidly as the pandemic accelerated digital health trends like virtual care, remote patient monitoring, and artificial intelligence-enabled clinical decision support. In this presentation, Dr. Chris Longhurst, Chief Medical and Digital Officer at UC San Diego Health, will share how these tools can support the journey to a highly reliable learning health system.

Racism and child and youth health: The public health crisis we can no longer ignore

Racism as a fundamental cause of health and health inequalities is increasingly recognised as a major public health crisis, echoing what First Nations peoples have been saying since colonisation. There is growing empirical evidence of the multiple ways in which racism impacts health and wellbeing for children and young people.

Healthy Trajectories: A Child and Youth Disability Research Hub

Our Healthy Trajectories research is done in partnership with consumers, clinicians, and researchers with diverse disciplinary expertise. Our goal is to contribute evidence to rapidly improve the health, wellbeing, and participation of those with child-onset disability and their families. We will only be able to ensure that people with disability can participate as equal members of society if we collaborate effectively across disciplines and sectors: we invite your involvement.

International Women’s Day

International Women’s Day (IWD) is an annual global campaign, marked on 8th March, which celebrates the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating women’s equality. Each year the IWD campaign has a new theme, and in 2023 the theme is #EmbraceEquity.  https://www.internationalwomensday.com/theme

The Ethical Significance of Play: Should we be playing more?

The opportunity to play is a fundamental interest of children and play is also recognised as a child’s right (article 31 of the Convention on Rights of the Child). Play is necessary for a child’s development, their healing and to mediate their experience of medical care and procedures.