Poor growth and inability to manage age-appropriate textures are often present in children with EA, particularly in the younger years. This highlights the need for early intervention in a specialist multidisciplinary EA clinic in which dietetics and speech pathology are available.
PurposeThis paper aims to redefine the peer reference model – using student assistants to staff the reference desk – by expanding it to include upper‐level undergraduate students from various disciplines providing full reference service with minimal supervision as well as performing paraprofessional‐level duties.Design/methodology/approachSet within a backdrop of budget cuts, severe time and staffing limitations, and increasing demands for library services, the paper assesses the processes and results of implementing this new model of peer reference at a medium‐sized academic library.FindingsThe findings suggest that undergraduate students are not only capable but perhaps optimal at providing high‐quality reference service to their peers.Originality/valueThis paper redefines the peer reference model, using a case study carried out in a US university library.
Aim: Feeding problems have been described in young children with oesophageal atresia (OA). The primary aim of this study was to determine the specific concerns of parents and carers of infants and young children with OA regarding introducing solids and moving up to family foods. Methods: A questionnaire was developed for parents and carers of infants and children with OA, aged 12 months to 6 years. Questionnaires were completed by 20 parents attending a multidisciplinary OA clinic between June 2016 and June 2017. Demographics and parental concern regarding feeding milestones were collected. The Montreal Children's Hospital Feeding Scale was completed. Results: The majority of children (95%) had type C OA. Eleven (55%) parents agreed/strongly agreed that they were concerned about their child's feeding prior to the introduction of solids and about moving to more textured solids. The most common concern was choking and food impaction for both time points. Twelve (60%) parents agreed/strongly agreed that the majority of mealtimes in their child's first 1-2 years of life were stressful. Thirteen (65%) parents reported avoiding particular foods due to their child's OA. The majority of children (n = 17) had no feeding difficulty according to an objective scale, and the rest had minor difficulty. Conclusions: Parental concern around feeding still exists in infants and children without a severe feeding difficulty. Multidisciplinary involvement, including a dietitian and speech pathologist, from an early age is important for infants and children with OA.
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