Exploring the Impact of Child Hospitalisation on the Family System: A Qualitative Study Using Framework Analysis

Area of Science:

• Pediatric healthcare
• Family studies
• Qualitative research

Background:

• Child hospitalization presents significant emotional, practical, financial, and social challenges for families.
• Understanding these impacts is vital for improving clinical practice and interventions.
• This research explores the experiences of main caregivers, extended caregivers, and child siblings during a child's hospitalization.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the multifaceted impacts of child hospitalization on family members.
• To identify challenges and support gaps experienced by families.
• To inform the development of targeted interventions and improved support systems.

Main Methods:

• Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight families, totaling twenty-three interviews.
• Interviews were recorded using Microsoft Teams.
• The Framework Method was employed for data analysis to identify familial perspectives.

Main Results:

• Key themes identified include emotional and relational impacts, practical challenges, adjustment processes, and communication issues.
• Families shared "take-home messages" offering insights into their experiences.
• Analysis revealed varying perspectives on the hospitalization experience across different family members.

Conclusions:

• Gaps in support, communication barriers, and access inequalities were identified.
• Findings highlight the need for targeted clinical interventions and preventative strategies.
• Restructuring support systems is essential to empower families and healthcare professionals globally.