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Parental involvement in the lives of children in hospital
Insights
Parents staying with children in the hospital significantly reduced infant distress and increased social interaction. This care by parent scheme improved the hospital experience for young patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nursing
- Child Psychology
- Hospital Care Quality
Background:
- Parental involvement in pediatric care is increasing.
- University hospitals are exploring enhanced parental engagement models.
- The care by parent scheme is a natural extension of this trend.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of a care by parent scheme on child patients.
- To assess changes in child patient well-being and interaction within a hospital setting.
Main Methods:
- A structured observational study was conducted.
- The study monitored child patients within a care by parent scheme.
- Comparison groups included children nursed unaccompanied and those with a resident parent outside the scheme.
Main Results:
- Children in the scheme spent less time awake and alone.
- Reduced crying and sleep disturbances were observed in the scheme group.
- Increased social interaction with family members, rather than staff, was noted.
Conclusions:
- The care by parent scheme positively impacts child patient experience.
- Enhanced parental presence mitigates negative effects of hospitalization.
- The scheme promotes better social and emotional well-being for children in hospital.
Abstract:
A care by parent scheme was established in the children's department of a university hospital. It was seen as the natural extension of the increased involvement of parents in the care of their children in hospital. A structured observational study was carried out to monitor its effect on the lives of child patients. Children in the scheme spent far less time awake alone, cried less, and slept less than those nursed unaccompanied. They had far more social interaction with a smaller number of adults, most of their contacts being with family members rather than hospital staff. Children with a resident parent but outside the scheme were generally in an intermediate position on these factors.