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SM Journal of Family Medicine

Parents’ Experiences of Family and Daily Life after Their Child’s Stay in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit: Implications for Practice and Research

[ ISSN : 2576-0262 ]

Abstract
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Received: 30-Aug-2024

Accepted: 30-Sep-2024

Published: 30-Sep-2024

Research Article | Volume 2 - Issue 2 | Article DOI :

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Sandra Stalder¹,⁴, Daniela Händler-Schuster¹-³, and Franzisca Domeisen Benedetti¹*

¹ZHAW Zurich University of Applied Sciences, School of Health Sciences, Institute of Nursing, Winterthur, Switzerland
²UMIT TIROL - Private University for Health Sciences and Health Technology, Department of Nursing Science and Gerontology, Institute for Nursing Science, Hall in Tyrol, Austria
³Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Faculty of Health, School of Public Health and Social Work, Brisbane, Australia
?HSLU Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Social Work, Institute of Nursing and Interprofessionalism, Lucerne, Switzerland

Corresponding Author:

Franzisca Domeisen Benedetti, ZHAW – Zurich University of Applied Sciences School of Health Sciences Institute of Nursing, Katharina-Sulzer-Platz 9, 8401 Winterthur, Switzerland

Keywords

Experience; Pediatric intensive care unit; Critically ill child; Follow-up; Parents; Family and daily life

Abstract

Parents of critically ill children in pediatric intensive care units often experience significant trauma, stress and long-term consequences, even if their child makes a full recovery. These include acute stress disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder and post-intensive care syndrome in both parents and children. Swiss authors analyzed parents’ experiences and needs after the traumatic stay and their return to everyday life. The results show three phases, guided by trust and involvement in the treatment process during the stay, and processing after the stay, which are interrelated  and influence each other so that normality can return to everyday life, processing after the stay. The return to everyday life is facilitated by a support program such as aftercare and debriefing, especially for families whose children have fully recovered. Targeted interventions and supporting programs throughout the course of treatment could be of great benefit to these families by addressing their emotional, psychological and practical needs.

Citation

Stalder S, Händler-Schuster D, Domeisen Benedetti F (2024) Parents’ Experiences of Family and Daily Life after Their Child’s Stay in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit: Implications for Practice and Research. SM J Fam Med 2:1-3.