Children facing a trip to hospital often experience not only physical pain but also fear and distress that can complicate treatment. Recognising this, a new research-led project is trialling specially designed paediatric distraction kits for use by paramedics in Victoria.
The initiative is led by Associate Professor Kathryn Eastwood ASM from Monash University and Katrina Sedgwick paramedic and manager from Ambulance Victoria. While distraction therapy is already considered the gold standard for reducing anxiety in hospital emergency departments, little work has been done to determine which strategies are safe and effective in the prehospital setting.
Associate Professor Eastwood said her research focused on identifying the tools most suitable for use in ambulances, where space is limited, infection control is critical, and paramedics must work quickly.
"Distraction is more than play – it's a clinically recognised way to help children cope with fear and pain," she said. "Our work was about understanding which techniques would actually work in the back of an ambulance, then putting them into a kit paramedics can use straight away."
The kits include simple, low-cost items such as bubbles, sensory fidgets and story cards. Each has been selected for its ability to shift attention, calm distress, and encourage cooperation during treatment.
Ms Sedgwick, who is leading the Ambulance Victoria rollout of the kits, said early feedback from paramedics and families had been extremely positive.
"Children often don't understand what's happening, and they can become frightened or resistant," she said. "These kits give paramedics a practical, evidence-based way to connect with children. Parents also report feeling more at ease when they see their child engaged rather than distressed."
The project addresses a critical gap in care. International studies show that children's pain is often poorly managed in prehospital settings, with up to 85 per cent of children in pain receiving no relief before arriving at hospital. Reducing anxiety and improving cooperation may also improve the effectiveness of pain relief medications when they are given.
The distraction kits have been developed in collaboration with Kaiko Fidgets, a Melbourne-based company specialising in sensory tools, TLC for Kids, with long-standing expertise in distraction therapy and child support, and Child Life Therapists from the Royal Children's Hospital. The partnership ensures the items are safe, evidence-based, infection-control friendly, and tailored for emergency use.
If successful, the project could see distraction kits rolled out across Victoria and potentially adopted by ambulance services nationally.
"This is about giving paramedics access to the same evidence-based support that hospital staff have relied on for years," Associate Professor Eastwood said. "Our ultimate goal is to make children's experience of emergency care less traumatic and to support families and clinicians at the same time."
