The experience of a broken heart

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Cardiology
• Parental Psychology
• Qualitative Research Methods

Background:

• Congenital heart disease (CHD) presents complex physiological challenges in infants.
• Healthcare providers must also address the emotional impact on parents facing this diagnosis.
• Understanding the parental experience is crucial for comprehensive care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore and understand the lived experiences of parents whose infants are diagnosed with congenital heart disease (CHD).
• To provide a deeper, more complete comprehension of the parental journey when facing a "broken heart" diagnosis.

Main Methods:

• Phenomenology was employed as the primary inquiry approach.
• Parents were invited to share their personal experiences and descriptions of living with an infant diagnosed with CHD.

Main Results:

• The study captured rich, descriptive accounts from parents navigating the emotional landscape of CHD.
• These narratives offer profound insights into the multifaceted nature of the parental experience.

Conclusions:

• The findings enhance understanding of the parental experience with infant congenital heart disease (CHD).
• This deeper comprehension can inform healthcare professionals in providing more empathetic and effective support to families.