Pia Dahav1, Annica Sjöström-Strand2. 1. Department of Pediatrics, PICU, Lund University Hospital, Lund, Sweden. 2. Department of Health Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: There is very little research on the parent's experiences of having a child admitted to a paediatric intensive care unit. Identifying and describing 'such experiences' could facilitate better parental support from the paediatric intensive care team and help the parents manage a stressful situation. AIMS: This study aimed to describe parents' experiences of having their child admitted to a paediatric intensive care unit. METHODS: Interviews were conducted with 12 parents whose children had been admitted to a paediatric intensive care unit. A qualitative design was used, and the interviews were analysed based on content analysis. RESULT: The analysis revealed two categories: 'being involved' and 'being informed' with seven subcategories: 'caring for the parents', 'security and trust', 'altering the parental role', 'stress and fear', 'the importance of knowing', 'interaction in the care process' and 'being prepared'. An overarching theme emerged: the experience was 'like being in another world'. The study concludes that a child's admission to a paediatric intensive care unit is a stressful situation, and for the parents to be able to handle the anxiety and stress, they need to be informed of and involved in their child's care. CONCLUSIONS: The parents' experience when their child is admitted to a paediatric intensive care unit is fraught with a range of emotion and fear. There are indications that things such as good information, involvement and a positive experience of the transfer to the paediatric ward reduce the stress and anxiety associated with paediatric intensive care admission. The result of this study could be used as a basis for a post-paediatric intensive care follow-up service for the children and their families.
BACKGROUND: There is very little research on the parent's experiences of having a child admitted to a paediatric intensive care unit. Identifying and describing 'such experiences' could facilitate better parental support from the paediatric intensive care team and help the parents manage a stressful situation. AIMS: This study aimed to describe parents' experiences of having their child admitted to a paediatric intensive care unit. METHODS: Interviews were conducted with 12 parents whose children had been admitted to a paediatric intensive care unit. A qualitative design was used, and the interviews were analysed based on content analysis. RESULT: The analysis revealed two categories: 'being involved' and 'being informed' with seven subcategories: 'caring for the parents', 'security and trust', 'altering the parental role', 'stress and fear', 'the importance of knowing', 'interaction in the care process' and 'being prepared'. An overarching theme emerged: the experience was 'like being in another world'. The study concludes that a child's admission to a paediatric intensive care unit is a stressful situation, and for the parents to be able to handle the anxiety and stress, they need to be informed of and involved in their child's care. CONCLUSIONS: The parents' experience when their child is admitted to a paediatric intensive care unit is fraught with a range of emotion and fear. There are indications that things such as good information, involvement and a positive experience of the transfer to the paediatric ward reduce the stress and anxiety associated with paediatric intensive care admission. The result of this study could be used as a basis for a post-paediatric intensive care follow-up service for the children and their families.
Authors: Ivana Debelić; Anamaria Mikolčić; Jovana Tihomirović; Iva Barić; Đurđica Lendić; Željka Nikšić; Barbara Šencaj; Robert Lovrić Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-09-12 Impact factor: 4.614