Parent perspectives and psychosocial needs 2 years following child critical injury: A qualitative inquiry
Kim Foster, Connie Van, Andrea McCloughen, Rebecca Mitchell, Alexandra Young, Kate Curtis
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: To provide effective care and promote wellbeing and positive outcomes for parents and families following paediatric critical injury there is a need to understand parent experiences and psychosocial support needs. This study explores parent experiences two years following their child's critical injury. METHODS: This multi-centre study used an interpretive qualitative design. Parent participants were recruited from four paediatric hospitals in Australia. Semi-structured interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. Qualitative data were thematically analysed and managed using NVivo 11. RESULTS: Twenty-two parents participated. Three themes were identified through analysis: Recovering from child injury; Managing the emotional impact of child injury; Being resilient and finding ways to adapt. CONCLUSIONS: A long-term dedicated trauma family support role is required to ensure continuity of care, integration of support and early targeted intervention to prevent long-term adverse outcomes for critically injured children and their families. Early and ongoing psychosocial intervention would help strengthen parental adaptation and address families' psychosocial support needs following child injury.