Children's near-death experiences: tales from nurses - a content analysis study

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Nursing
• End-of-Life Care
• Qualitative Research

Background:

• Near-death experiences (NDEs) are rare but profound phenomena.
• Existing research on NDEs primarily focuses on adults, with limited evidence in children.
• This study addresses the gap in understanding pediatric NDEs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore pediatric nurses' observations and accounts of children's NDEs.
• To gain insights into the nature of NDEs in pediatric populations.
• To understand the subjective experiences of children undergoing NDEs from a nursing perspective.

Main Methods:

• Conventional qualitative content analysis.
• Purposive and snowball sampling of 13 nurses from pediatric oncology and intensive care units.
• In-depth semi-structured interviews analyzed using Graneheim and Lundman (2004) approach.

Main Results:

• Three main categories emerged: soothing perceptions, encounters with individuals, and emotional reactions.
• Six subcategories identified: enveloped in light, secure companion, unknown observer, invitation to play, seeking security, and anxiety.
• Findings reveal multidimensional aspects of pediatric NDEs.

Conclusions:

• Children's NDEs involve peace, perceived interactions, and emotional responses.
• Recognizing the psychological and spiritual dimensions of pediatric end-of-life experiences is crucial.
• Nurses require support to respond empathetically to children's NDEs.