Sustainable Support for Health Professionals Delivering Evidence-based Safe Sleeping Messages to Families: A Multi-Agency Approach

Abstract

Introduction Queensland has consistently experienced one of the highest rates of sudden unexpected deaths in infancy in Australia. Studies have identified deficits in health professional knowledge and practice about Safe Sleeping (SS) recommendations, and that many caregivers employ incorrect infant care practices which increase the risk of sudden infant death. Aim The aim was to design and develop an evidence-based sustainable resource to support health professionals to deliver Safe Sleeping messages to families in Queensland. Method This paper will outline a) the process used in developing an electronic SS resource for health professionals; b) collaborations established in developing a resource suitable for state-wide implementation; c) factors contributing to successful development and implementation. Results New and existing collaborations and networks between the project team and SIDS and Kids, the SIDS and Kids National Scientific Advisory Group, expert clinicians, Indigenous representatives, Queensland Health and the Clinical Skills Development Service, were utilised in developing a safe infant sleeping resource suitable for state-wide, and subsequently national, implementation in a variety of clinical and community settings. Factors including information and resource sharing, information consistency, collaboration between key stakeholders, and understanding of change management are integral to the success of an educational resource being evidence-based, user-friendly, accessible to clinicians, and a sustainable mode of health professional support. Conclusion A collaborative, systematic approach involving consistent information and resource sharing between all key stakeholder groups, supported at a national level, will facilitate Safe Sleeping initiatives being delivered and sustained long term.