Parents' perceptions of their participation in the care of their hospitalised children

Abstract

This study aimed to explore parents' perceptions regarding their participation in the care of their hospitalised children. Non-experimental research, involving both qualitative and quantitative design was used. For this study, a convenient sample often participants was selected from a target population who satisfied the selection criteria. This included the parents who were present most of the time with the child during hospitalization. The parents had to have their children admitted to hospital at least three to five days before the interview was performed and the children should not have been in a poor health condition. A semi-structured interview, entitled 'Parents' Participation in paediatric wards', was developed to collect data from parents who were resident with their hospitalised children in two paedaitric wards. A full response rate was obtained. Data Analysis was carried out using quantitative data analysis for the close-ended questions while qualitative content analysis, as described by Graneheim and Lundman (2004), was used for the analysis of the open-ended questions. Findings indicated that most parents wanted to participate in their children's care due to various reasons, such as, for the benefit of the child, nurses and themselves. Parents' degree of participation and of satisfaction was subjectively. Factors inhibiting and facilitating parents' participation were identified. Any need for change to enhance satisfaction, involvement in decision-making process and the activities of care parents think they can participate into were also identified. Advice was given from the participants to other parents who have or will have children in hospital regarding their participation in their child's care. Any possible recommendations are also presented.