Does a therapeutic conversation intervention in an acute paediatric setting make a difference for families of children with bronchiolitis caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)?

Abstract

Aims and objectives. To measure the benefit of a short-family therapeutic conversation (STC) intervention in an acute paediatric unit. Background. Studies of children with bronchiolitis caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) have shown that this virus may have an impact on their respiratory system in the form of a wheezing disorder, asthma and even allergy during their childhood. Studies of the parents of these children indicate that they experience distress, vulnerability and anxiety through the illness period and therefore need support from healthcare professionals. However, little is known about what intervention is of most benefit for these parents. Design. Quasi-experimental. Method. Data were collected from a convenience sample from February throughout April 2009 at an acute unit at a children's hospital in Iceland. Parents of infants diagnosed with bronchiolitis caused by RSV were invited to attend. In total, there are 41 participants: 21 in the intervention group (n = 21) and 20 in the control group (n = 20). Parents in both groups answered questionnaires about perceived support and family expressive functioning both before the intervention and on an average of 11 days after the intervention. Results. The main findings showed that mothers in the intervention group perceive significantly higher support after the intervention compared with the control group. The findings also showed a significant difference between the genders (mothers and fathers) in the intervention group. The mothers perceived higher cognitive support than the fathers. Conclusions. Despite the often chaotic environment in an acute care setting, the research findings give paediatric nurses reason to conclude that a STC intervention benefits mothers of infants with bronchiolitis caused by RSV. Relevance to clinical practice. A STC intervention offered by a nurse within an acute paediatric unit can support families in handling the illness experience.

Validity and reliability of the Danish version of the Ice Expressive Family Functioning and Ice Family Perceived Support questionnaires

“…The original ICE‐EFFQ questionnaire would need to be further explored to reveal the limits of measurement relating to clinically relevant differences. In a study by Kamban et al , an effect size for significant results ranged from 0.46 to 0.5. Whether this just reflects a minor change or a clinically important change that moves families towards a normal or acceptable level of functioning is something that needs to be further tested.…”

Family functioning and perceived support from nurses during cancer treatment among Danish and Australian patients and their families

“…These questionnaires both reflect concepts inherent in the Calgary Family Assessment and Intervention Models (Wright & Leahey, ). Furthermore, the ICE‐EFFQ and ICE‐FPSQ were developed and psychometrically tested in three different studies of families and patient members experiencing mental health difficulties (Sveinbjarnardottir, Svavarsdottir, & Wright, ), chronic disease (Halldórsdóttir & Svavarsdóttir, ) and general acute hospital admission (Kamban & Svavarsdottir, ; Sveinbjarnardottir et al., ,b). The instruments must be considered as valid instruments to measure both patients and family member's perspectives of family functioning and perceived support from nurses.…”

“…However, there is no exact cut-off score to distinguish between sufficient or insufficient support from nurses. The questionnaire has been used in studies with adult psychiatric patients (Sveinbjarnardottir et al, 2013) and families of children with acute illness (Kamban & Svavarsdottir, 2013…”

The importance of family support in pediatrics and its impact on healthcare satisfaction

“…The movement in health care towards reduced lengths of hospital stays has resulted in more responsibility placed on families to care for hospitalised children both during their stay and postdischarge; this increased role for family members requires specific family support from healthcare professionals, particularly from paediatric nurses. Through purposeful therapeutic conversation interventions, paediatric nurses can help parents to cope with and or adapt to the illness situation . Such supportive intervention, however, need to be structured around the family's needs and be related to the specific health situation that the family is facing.…”