The aim of this paper is to provide an overview of the phases of the action research process involved in developing, implementing, and evaluating the Heart Beads program. The aim of the project is to enrich the hospital experience of children with cardiac conditions. Heart Beads involves children receiving unique beads specific to each cardiac treatment, procedure or event in recognition of their experiences, and endurance. An action research approach, involving a partnership between clinicians and researchers and emphasising the involvement of patients and their families, was used to guide the Heart Beads program. The project followed the five phases of action research: identification, investigation, program development, implementation, and evaluation. Heart Beads began as a small project which continues to grow in popularity and significance with children at a tertiary paediatric hospital in Sydney, Australia. The program is now being implemented nationwide with the vision that all Australian children hospitalised with cardiac conditions can benefit from Heart Beads. 1. Introduction In July 2008, The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, Sydney launched the Heart Beads program for children with cardiac conditions. The program involves children receiving unique beads specific to each cardiac treatment, procedure, or event in recognition of their experiences and endurance. The program aim was to document the children’s experiences in a unique and child-friendly form, adding a positive dimension to their treatment process and ultimately reducing the strain involved in their hospital admission. The project team (nursing staff and external researchers) hoped that children would feel a sense of achievement for their courage and be able to trace their continuing journey as their collection became increasingly unique and also that the beads could act as a medium for the children and families to develop more positive relationships with staff and other children and families in the hospital. Heart Beads was developed using an action research approach to help address the needs of children, families, and staff identified both within the hospital and the existing literature. The stresses parents experience when a child is diagnosed with a serious illness is well documented [1–5]. The literature also details children’s need for information about their hospitalisation [6], and the importance of children being spoken to and informed about their illness and treatment [7]. The provision of information has been identified in a number of studies as the primary need in coming
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