Parental Participation in the Care of Hospitalized Children

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate those parts of the care of hospitalized children that their parents perform, the nursing tasks the parents themselves felt they could manage and whether parents' and staff members' opinions coincided. A questionnaire was given to parents of children between one week and five years of age who were hospitalized at a pediatric surgical department during a 6-week period (n = 40), a similar questionnaire being distributed to all the staff (n = 44). The results indicate that parents stay with their children during hospitalization and that they take responsibility for their children's basic care and needs. Parents and staff members believed that parents might be able to take on a greater share of caring activities if they were given instruction and support, though there was disagreement as to which nursing tasks are appropriate for parents to take on.

Decision Making in Paediatric Care: an overview with reference to nursing care

“…More experienced nurses who feel secure in their profession are more able and willing to negotiate than less experienced nurses. 53 During a medical examination, the physician and the parents usually take the initiative in terms of conversation, but rarely the child. The physician directs most of his or her comments to the parents, while the child is addressed mainly during the physical examination.…”

016–Congruency Between Parents' Actual and Desired Participation in the Care of Their Hospitalized Child.

“…Parents' interest in participating in technical aspects of care varied. For example, with regard to dressing changes, Kristensson-Hallstrom and Elander (1994) reported that 15% of parents did this procedure while 62% felt they could have done it. Webb et al(1985) found that 43% of parents either did or felt they could do a dressing change, while Hill identified that 38% of mothers wanted to do this care.…”

“…Several researchers have used checklists of child care activities to identify activities parents participate in or in which they would like to participate (Algren, 1985;Blower, & Morgan, 2000;Hill, 1978;Jackson, Bradham, & Burwell, 1978;Kristensson-Hallstrom, & Elander, 1994;Merrow, & Johnson, 1968;Webb, Hull, & Madeley, 1985).…”

“…Some studies included both parents and nurses, and compared their responses, finding that parents are generally prepared to take on more than nurses believe they should (Kristensson-Hallstrom & Elander, 1994;MacDonald, 1969;Merrow & Johnson, 1968 …”

“…Kristensson-Hallstrom and Elander (1994) used a revised version of Webb et al' s list, preparing a checklist of 3 7 items. Reliability was not reported for any of the tools discussed above.…”