Challenges when going on excursions with children with medical complexity in Japan

Abstract

BackgroundWith advances in medical technology, the number of children with medical complexity (CMC) has increased. Excursions with such children encourage their social participation and have been shown to have a positive impact on their caregivers. However, the first‐hand experience of the excursions has not yet been evaluated regarding the difficulties faced by CMC and their caregivers during preparation, transportation, and in the local area.MethodsSemi‐structured interviews were conducted with eight informal and eight formal caregivers of CMC who attended an excursion to Tokyo Disney Land (TDL) via video conference. We investigated challenges that they had experienced through the excursion, performing inductive thematic analysis.ResultsThree themes were identified: the preparation stage (Theme 1), problems encountered while traveling to the theme park (Theme 2), and problems at the theme park (Theme 3). In the preparation stage, three subthemes, i.e. preparation for the trip, cooperation with related parties, and researching about the theme park and asking for help, are reported. Theme 2 includes four subthemes: activities of daily living, respiratory care, luggage, and weather changes. Theme 3 has three subthemes: activities of daily living, physical condition management, and issues for the theme parks.ConclusionsWe found that securing the power supply, location, and time for daily procedures are challenges in realizing excursions for CMC, but with sufficient preparation, it is possible in Japan without major difficulty.

Emotional impacts of excursions on parents of children with medical complexity

“…The basic data for each pediatric patient are shown in Table 1 of the previous research. 12 Of the eight patients, five (62.5%) were male, and their ages ranged from 2 to 13 years, with a median age of 4 years. Regarding medical devices, four patients (50.0%) were on ventilators, and two patients (25.0%) required gastrostomy, nasal tube feeding, and oxygen respectively.…”

Possibility for Children with Medical Complexities to Reach a 3000-m Peak: A Report of 2 Cases

“…Meanwhile, a previous study at our facility has suggested that a visit to an amusement park, such as Disneyland, may make the family and surrounding medical personnel more optimistic about such outings and was found safe to travel the park with sufficient preparation, potentially leading to improvement in the development of CMCs. 3 Outdoor activities are expected to have a positive effect on children. 4 This is because they have been shown to improve children's cardiopulmonary function, build strong bones and muscles, help them control their weight, and reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression.…”

“…Meanwhile, a previous study at our facility has suggested that a visit to an amusement park, such as Disneyland, may make the family and surrounding medical personnel more optimistic about such outings and was found safe to travel the park with sufficient preparation, potentially leading to improvement in the development of CMCs. 3…”