Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 26, 2025

Mechanical Ventilation Boot Camp Curriculum
Published on: March 12, 2018
Tough transitions: Family caregiver experiences with a pediatric long-term ventilation discharge pathway
Jackie Chiang1,2,3, Allia Karim1, Andrea Hoffman2,3
1Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Objectives:
Discharging a child home on long-term ventilation (LTV) via tracheostomy is complex and involves multiple healthcare providers across healthcare sectors. To date, there has been a paucity of data with respect to the experiences of families transitioning a child home on LTV. Our objective was to explore the perceptions of family caregivers (FCs) who have completed a newly developed LTV discharge pathway as they transitioned home.
Methods:
We conducted 11 semi-structured interviews with FCs. Interviews focused on FC's experience with the training process, perception of competency from a knowledge and skill perspective, and opportunities for improvement. Interviews were audiotaped, transcribed verbatim, coded, and analyzed using an inductive thematic analysis approach.
Results:
Eight mothers and three fathers of ten children participated. Six primary themes were identified: (1) making an informed decision, (2) transitioning to rehabilitation, (3) building capacity for self-care, (4) coordinating case management, (5) readying for discharge home, and (6) experiencing home care.
Conclusion:
Overall, FCs felt that the preparation and transition support obtained through the application of a standardized LTV discharge pathway allowed successful attainment of new knowledge and skills necessary to care for their child with LTV at home.
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