When a child is hospitalized in a Covid-19 ward: An emotional roller coaster for parents.
Michal Shteinbuk, Anat Moskovich, Vardit Shemesh-Mileguir and 2 others
PMID 34903424WHAT IT FOUND
Parents of hospitalized children with Covid-19 felt fear, stress, shame and boredom, but many moved toward acceptance and trust in staff.
Parents' accounts point to clear explanations and shared decisions.
Key findings
01Parents described anxiety and fear about the unknown when told their child needed a pediatric Covid-19 ward.
02During hospitalization, parents reported fear for the child's condition, stress from isolation, shame, boredom, and some acceptance.
03Parents' feelings toward staff changed from loneliness and loss of control to connection and confidence, especially when staff shared decisions and explained care.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
The study was done in one hospital in Israel, so parents' feelings may not match families in other countries or wards. Only 2 fathers were interviewed, so fathers' experiences are not well represented. 13 interviews were by telephone after discharge, one week to three months later, so recall may have affected the accounts. The study reports parents' emotions and suggestions, not tested effects of care or child outcomes.
Declared interests
This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors. The authors declared no conflict of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read this as evidence that staff explanations or family communication improve parental mental health. The study described parents' feelings and suggestions; it did not test an intervention or measure outcomes.