Lived Experiences of Being Hospitalised as a Child Without Parents-A Retrospective Study

In the past, hospitals strictly excluded parents when their children were hospitalised. This practice persisted well into the mid-20th century, and parents' visits were limited through the 1970s and 1980s. This study aimed to explore the childhood experiences of adults who were hospitalised as children without their parents.

This qualitative study adopted a hermeneutic phenomenological approach. The data, comprised of written narratives from 11 Norwegian participants, were analysed using holistic, selective and detailed approaches inspired by van Manen.

The essential theme, Enduring life in hospital, yielded five subthemes: feeling abandoned, the significant moments with mother and father, being at the mercy of the carers, the burden of disease and treatment and uplifting moments in everyday life.

Undergoing hospitalisation as children without the presence of their parents afforded the participants experiences that have shaped their lives. The study highlights the significance of healthcare professionals supporting adults who were hospitalised as children without their parents and providing adapted care during their future encounters with the healthcare system. The study also emphasises the importance of including parents in children's hospital admissions today.