Positively distracting children with cystic fibrosis during routine clinic visits: A cross-sectional pilot evaluation

This study aimed to assess how paediatric cystic fibrosis (CF) patients attending an Australian tertiary paediatric hospital accepted and perceived the ‘Captains on Call’ (CoC) program, a positive distraction initiative by Starlight Children’s Foundation Australia (Starlight). We invited caregivers of CF clinic attendees and CF patients aged eight and over to participate in an online survey, and healthcare professionals and Starlight team members involved in CoC to participate in an interview. Eighteen caregivers and ten children completed the survey, while three health professionals and four Starlight team members were interviewed. Findings indicate that CoC positively disrupts healthcare experiences for families, reduces anxiety and fear before and during hospital visits, averts negative rumination for caregivers and improves healthcare professionals’ mood during visits. While participants shared their appreciation of CoC interactions being tailored to each child’s interests, suggestions were made for better addressing adolescents’ unique needs. Overall, CoC emerged as a highly valued program in the CF clinic at Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Adelaide, demonstrating potential to foster more positive healthcare experiences through play and positive distraction, mitigating the perceived negative impact of hospital visits for children with CF and their caregivers.