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Long-term gastrostomy in children: caregiver coping
S E Thorne1, M J Radford, E A Armstrong
1School of Nursing, University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada. thorne@nursing.ubc.ca
Summary
Families caring for children with long-term gastrostomy tubes develop effective coping strategies. This study documents their experiences to help nurses better support these caregivers.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nursing
- Family Caregiving
- Medical Technology
Background:
- Technological interventions like long-term gastrostomy are increasingly common for children with severe disabilities.
- Medically complex children are more frequently cared for at home, necessitating specialized family support.
- Nurses require enhanced knowledge to effectively assist families managing pediatric gastrostomy care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the coping strategies employed by families caring for a child with a long-term gastrostomy.
- To understand the technical, social, and psychological implications of gastrostomy from the caregiver's perspective.
- To provide nurses with insights for improved family caregiver support.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study documenting family experiences with pediatric gastrostomy.
- Focus on the caregiver perspective and their coping mechanisms.
- Qualitative data collection on the lived experiences of families.
Main Results:
- Families develop a complex range of effective coping strategies for managing long-term gastrostomy.
- Caregivers shared insights into the technical, social, and psychological impacts of gastrostomy on the family unit.
- Experienced caregivers articulated nuanced approaches to daily management and emotional well-being.
Conclusions:
- Family caregivers possess valuable, practical knowledge regarding pediatric gastrostomy management.
- Understanding the caregiver's insider perspective is crucial for effective healthcare professional support.
- Nurses can enhance their support by recognizing and leveraging the coping strategies of families.