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Fathers' roles when their child is in hospital
1Open University.
Background:
In the UK and elsewhere, family-centred care is the cornerstone of children's nursing. Fathers' roles in families have evolved in recent decades and they are increasingly involved in their children's lives and healthcare. However, few studies of parents' experiences of their children's hospitalisation refer to fathers. To address this gap in the evidence and to support family-centred care, we focused this research on fathers' experiences during their acutely ill children's stay in hospital.
Aim:
To gain an understanding of fathers' experiences of care during their child's unplanned admission and their interactions with children's nurses.
Method:
An ethnographic design was used that involved participant observation and interviews with fathers and nurses.
Results:
Fathers played active roles during hospitalisation. They adopted a protective role, continued to provide for their families through paid work, provided emotional and material support to mothers and siblings and participated directly in care. Despite this active involvement, children's nurses sometimes perceived fathers as marginal to their child's care.
Conclusion:
Fathers are active participants in care and children's nurses need to be aware of the importance of practising truly family-centred care.
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