Hospitalized children's representations of their relationship with nurses and doctors

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Psychology
• Child Health
• Nursing Studies

Background:

• Understanding hospitalized children's perspectives is crucial for improving healthcare experiences.
• The nurse-patient relationship significantly impacts pediatric patient outcomes and coping mechanisms.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore hospitalized children's views on their relationships with nurses and doctors.
• To analyze the nature and impact of these relationships on coping with medical treatments.

Main Methods:

• An explorative study involving 27 school-aged children (6-15 years) in a pediatric haematology and oncology ward.
• Children created drawings of themselves with healthcare professionals, analyzed using Pictorial Assessment of Interpersonal Relationships (PAIR) and qualitative methods.

Main Results:

• Children reported positive views of their relationships with healthcare professionals, particularly nurses.
• Relationships with nurses were perceived as close, intimate, cohesive, and conflict-free, sometimes forming emotional bonds.
• These positive relationships aided children in coping with and accepting painful medical procedures.

Conclusions:

• The findings highlight the vital role of strong nurse-patient relationships in pediatric care.
• Positive interactions with healthcare professionals can significantly enhance a child's ability to manage challenging medical experiences.
• Implications for clinical practice include fostering supportive and trusting relationships to improve pediatric patient well-being.