Sleep for Health in Hospital, Halifax (Shhh)
This study explored pediatric in-patients’ and their accompanying parents’/caregivers’ sleep experiences on the Pediatric Medical Unit (PMU) at the IWK Health Centre, and at home before and after their admission to PMU. Qualitative and quantitative measures, including light and sound recordings, were used to understand how families slept and the factors affecting their sleep. The study has finished, and the team is preparing the manuscript for publication.
Sleep for Health in Hospital and at Home 2 (Shhh2)
The purpose of Shhh2 is to translate our previous findings into care, and to better understand how to promote healthy sleep for families in hospital and at home. We are conducting focus groups with parents/caregivers who have previously stayed on the Pediatric Medical Unit (PMU) at the IWK Health Centre with their child, and with PMU healthcare providers. The focus groups will clarify priorities, best practices, and future goals for promoting healthy sleep.
Results from the focus groups and guidance from our Parent Advisory Committee will be used to create an action plan, which will be implemented on PMU and tested to see how helpful it is. We are also developing informational sleep resources for families in hospital.
This work is funded by IWK Foundation’s Translating Research into Care Healthcare
Improvement Research Funding Program [Grant number 603367, Awarded 2023].
Sleep Knowledge of Early Childhood Development Interventionists
Early Childhood Development Interventionists (ECDIs) are involved in supporting families of children with autism spectrum disorder and a range of developmental difficulties. One hundred and forty-seven ECDIs from Nova Scotia Early Childhood Intervention Services completed a survey exploring: 1) sleep beliefs, 2) personal sleep habits, 3) understanding healthy sleep, 4) training preferences and 5) participants’ basic demographic characteristics. The survey is now closed.
A Scoping Review of Barriers and Facilitators to Autism Diagnostic Pathways for Indigenous Communities in Canada Between 2000-2023
The growing prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) presents significant challenges for families and service providers, around accurate, timely diagnosis, and the provision of appropriate interventions. These challenges are pronounced within Indigenous communities in Canada, where access to culturally sensitive services are often limited. Despite growing awareness of the prevalence of ASD across diverse groups, diagnostic disparities persist, highlighting the need to address systemic inequalities. Utilising a scoping review methodology, this study examines literature published between 2000 and 2023 to identify barriers and facilitators for Indigenous children in Canada accessing ASD diagnostic services. This review includes academic publications and grey literature, aiming to assess the current knowledge in this area.
Diabetes Related Insomnia in Families and Teenagers: Optimising control and Facing Fear (DRIFT-OFF)
T1D has been shown to cause sleep disruptions, in turn affecting metabolic outcomes. Also, parents/caregivers of children with T1D have been shown to experience sleep disruptions. The DRIFT-OFF study examined the relationship between sleep and type 1 diabetes (T1D) by recruiting children and their parents/caregivers from the diabetes clinic at IWK Health. We looked at the range and frequency of sleep difficulties, followed by how metabolic outcomes, like A1C levels, and diabetes-related technology affected sleep. The study has finished, and the team is preparing the manuscript for publication. The DRIFT-OFF study was funded by the IWK Mentored Project Grant.
How to Become Involved
Parent Focus Groups
Parents and caregivers who have stayed overnight in the PMU are invited to participate in focus groups about sleep in hospital and at home. Focus groups will be one and a half to two hours long and be held in person or virtually. Information and priorities gathered from the groups will be used to help families sleep better on the PMU.
Healthcare Provider Focus Groups
Healthcare providers who currently work in the PMU are invited to participate in focus groups about sleep in hospital and at home. Focus groups will be one and a half to two hours long and be held in person or virtually. Information and priorities gathered from the groups will be used to help families sleep better on the PMU.
Parent Advisory Committee
We are looking for parents/caregivers to join the Sleep for Health in Hospital and at Home 2 (Shhh2) Parent Advisory Committee. As a member of the Parent Advisory Committee, you will guide the research team and help to make key decisions throughout the study. Commitment involves attending meetings held once every 3 months, responding to emails between meetings, and preparation for meetings. Training and support will be provided.