Family caregivers' experiences of caring for neonates undergoing enterostomy in China: A qualitative study.
Zhi Hong Ni, Sheng Ding, Jin Hua Wu and 1 others
PMID 36040011WHAT IT FOUND
Parents of babies with temporary intestinal stomas described panic, guilt, uncertainty, and low confidence in stoma care.
They wanted continuous professional guidance and more contact with their infants. Nurses can plan stoma-care teaching and follow-up.
Key findings
01The analysis produced themes of complex emotional response, uncertainty, lack of confidence, need for professional support, and active adaptation with growth.
02Parents doubted their competence for stoma care as discharge approached and wanted continuous professional guidance.
03Parents reported feeling isolated and hiding the child's condition, and wanted help with stoma bag replacement and home care.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
Only 26 caregivers were interviewed, and the authors said this small number may limit coverage of experiences. The study was done in three hospitals in Jiangsu province, China, so it may not fit other health systems or cultures. Caregivers with mental illness or recent major stress events were excluded, so very distressed families may be underrepresented. The authors noted that minor aspects might not have been sufficiently covered and that people from other contexts may have different views.
Declared interests
No conflicts of interest were declared. Funding came from the Children's Hospital of Soochow University key research project.
The easy way to misread this
Do not treat these themes as proof that stoma-care teaching reduces complications. The study only described caregivers' experiences; it did not test an intervention or compare outcomes.