Users' views on hospital and home care for acute illness in childhood

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Healthcare
• Health Services Research
• Qualitative Research

Background:

• Evaluating pediatric healthcare services is crucial for improving patient outcomes and resource allocation.
• Previous research has explored patient and family perspectives on healthcare services.
• Understanding user experiences informs the development of effective healthcare models.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare families' experiences with hospital care versus a hospital at home (HAH) service for children with acute illnesses.
• To assess the acceptability and preference of HAH care from the perspective of children and parents.
• To identify key factors influencing family choices between hospital and HAH care.

Main Methods:

• A qualitative study involving structured interviews with 40 families.
• Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 11 children aged 5-12 years.
• A drawing technique was used to augment children's interviews.

Main Results:

• Hospital at Home (HAH) care was found to be an acceptable alternative to hospital care for conditions primarily requiring nursing support.
• A significant majority of parents (90%) and children expressed a clear preference for HAH.
• Parental preference was driven by the perception of less severe illness and the associated social and financial benefits of home care.

Conclusions:

• HAH services offer a viable and preferred alternative to traditional hospital care for specific pediatric acute illnesses.
• Family perceptions of illness severity and the socio-economic advantages of home-based care significantly influence service preference.
• The findings support the integration and expansion of HAH services as a patient-centered approach in pediatric care.