A Double-Edged Sword: How Clinical Context Shapes Clinicians' Perceptions of Parental Religion in Paediatric Critical...

Critically ill children are often accompanied by parents expressing religious values. This study aimed to explore paediatric clinicians' perceptions of parental religious values in a diverse setting, to understand their influence on the caring relationship and decision-making for critically ill children.

A prospective qualitative study was conducted using semi-structured interviews and ethnographic observations. Physicians and nurses from paediatric oncology, intensive care, and neonatal units in a quaternary care centre were recruited. Thematic content analysis was performed on transcribed interviews and observation notes.

Data from 26 clinicians (14 physicians, 12 nurses) across 24 interviews and 131 observation hours revealed five themes. Religion was perceived positively as a family value and a legitimate aspect of end-of-life discussions. However, during parental refusals of medical plans, it was viewed as a groundless dimension for decision-making and a barrier to understanding illness severity.

Paediatric clinicians have reported communication difficulties when parents' religious values are strongly held, particularly during patient admission and when parents refuse medical plans. Developing communication strategies that respect families' religious values has improved the quality of care and the relationship between clinicians and parents.