Playing It Differently: Using Performance-Based Interviewing to Engage Children in Healthcare Research

Introduction/background

Capturing children's healthcare experiences remains inherently challenging. Traditional interview approaches are often poorly suited to younger populations and their developmental needs, limiting opportunities for them to meaningfully express their perspectives. This can result in children's voices being underrepresented in research and healthcare. To address this concern, we trialled a novel, child-centred methodology, using professional performers trained in engaging hospitalised children ('Captain Starlight'). The approach was implemented within a national paediatric patient-reported experience measure (pPREM) development project, which served as a case study for the application.