RNQualitativeInternational journal of community based nursing and midwifery2025

Parental Caregiving Experiences in Epidermolysis Bullosa: A Phenomenological Study.

Hassan Khalili, Hossein Karimi Moonaghi, Hamid Reza Kianifar and 1 others

PMID 40322061

WHAT IT FOUND

Parents of children with epidermolysis bullosa described being sent home without training, leading to trial-and-error wound care and false hope.

They reported profound isolation, family instability, and despair due to the relentless physical burden and lack of clear guidance.

Key findings

01Parents reported being discharged without proper training on wound care, leading to confusion and reliance on trial and error.

02Caregivers experienced significant social isolation and family strain, with many feeling imprisoned by the demands of constant care.

03Some parents received false reassurance that the condition would improve with age, which later contributed to feelings of betrayal and despair.

STILL TO COME

How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs

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What it does not show

The study included only three fathers, limiting insights into the paternal experience. Recruitment from a single hospital center in Iran restricts generalizability to other cultural or healthcare contexts. The small sample size (10 participants) is typical for phenomenology but limits breadth. Self-reported data may be subject to recall bias or social desirability bias.

Declared interests

No specific conflicts of interest or funding sources were declared in the provided text.

The easy way to misread this

Do not interpret the themes as evidence that specific interventions (like peer support or telehealth) reduce caregiver burden. This study describes the experience of burden; it did not test any treatment or support program.

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