Parental Perceptions of Miscommunication and Stress in the PICU: A Mixed Methods Study

Parents of pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) children experience significant stress and miscommunication with health care providers. This sequential mixed methods study aimed to (a) describe miscommunication, stress, and trust; (b) describe parent experiences related to miscommunication; and (c) compare stress levels between parents who perceived miscommunication and those who did not. A total of 200 parents completed the survey, with 14 participating in interviews. Key findings indicated that higher miscommunication led to increased distress and decreased trust in health care providers. Parents attributed miscommunication causes to clinician workload, provider availability, and involvement of multiple medical teams. Interestingly, greater distress occurred when miscommunication stemmed from conflicting information rather than clinical acuity concerns. The study highlights the urgent need for psychosocial support in PICU settings, as parental insights offer potential clinical relevance for future research. Parents' experiences underscore the importance of addressing miscommunication to enhance patient care outcomes and improve parental well-being.