Dataset Information

When a child is hospitalized in a Covid-19 ward: An emotional roller coaster for parents.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

To examine the emotions demonstrated by parents of children hospitalized in a pediatric Covid-19 ward.

Background

Although Covid-19 is mostly a mild disease in children, a small proportion develop severe disease requiring prolonged intensive care support.

Methods

On October 1st, 2020, a unique ward for children with Covid-19 was established in a large hospital in Israel. Interviews were conducted with parents of children who had been hospitalized in a pediatric Covid-19 ward.

Findings

A total of 22 parents of children aged 3 weeks to18 years were interviewed. Three themes emerged: Theme 1: Recognizing their child needed hospitalization in the Covid-19 ward, caused parents anxiety and fear of the unknown. Theme 2: Their child's hospitalization in the Covid-19 ward caused fear and worry at their child's condition, parental stress, shame, boredom, and acceptance. Theme 3: Parents initially felt emotional loneliness towards the healthcare staff in the Covid-19 ward, as well as loss of control, later replaced by feelings of confidence.

Conclusion

Parents have diverse emotions in response to needing to accompany their children who are hospitalized and isolated in a closed ward due to Covid-19.

Practical implications

Health care professionals are immensely important in providing support for parents and for their children suffering from Covid-19. A national plan should be established to address inpatient childcare during an epidemic. Nurses can encourage parents and family to be involved in the child's care and communicate effectively to reduce both the parents' and the child's uncertainty, shame, fear and stress.

SUBMITTER: Shteinbuk M

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8664075 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Mar-Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

When a child is hospitalized in a Covid-19 ward: An emotional roller coaster for parents.

Shteinbuk Michal M Moskovich Anat A Shemesh-Mileguir Vardit V Gleizer Chen C Itzhaki Michal M

Journal of pediatric nursing 20211210

<h4>Purpose</h4>To examine the emotions demonstrated by parents of children hospitalized in a pediatric Covid-19 ward.<h4>Background</h4>Although Covid-19 is mostly a mild disease in children, a small proportion develop severe disease requiring prolonged intensive care support.<h4>Methods</h4>On October 1st, 2020, a unique ward for children with Covid-19 was established in a large hospital in Israel. Interviews were conducted with parents of children who had been hospitalized in a pediatric Covi ...[more]

PMID: 34903424

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Project description:BackgroundUncertainties related to COVID-19 have strained the mental health of healthcare workers (HCWs) worldwide. Gaining the ability to adapt and thrive under pressure will be key to addressing this. We explore what characterises risk, vulnerability and resilient responses of HCWs during the early stages of the outbreak in Singapore.MethodsWe undertook qualitative theory-guided thematic analysis of e-diary entries from HCWs who navigated the outbreak from June-August 2020. Data were extracted from a subset of an online survey of n = 3616 participants collected across 9 institutions, including restructured hospitals, hospices and affiliated primary care partners.ResultsN = 663 or 18% submitted qualitative journal entries included for analyses. All professional cadres, local as well as foreign HCWs participated. Themes are reported according to the Loads-Levers-Lifts model of resilience and highlighted in italics. The model assumes that resilience is a dynamic process. Key factors threatening mental health (loading) risk included a notable rise in anxiety, the effects of being separated from loved ones, and experiencing heightened emotions and emotional overload. Bad situations were made worse, prompting vulnerable outcomes when HCWs experienced stigma in the community and effects of "public paranoia"; or under conditions where HCWs ended up feeling like a prisoner with little control or choice when either confined to staff accommodation or placed on quarantine/Stay Home Notices. Those with strife in their place of residence also described already difficult situations at work being aggravated by home life. Protection (lifts) came from being able to muster a sense of optimism about the future or feeling grateful for the pace of life slowing down and having the space to reprioritise. In contrast, when risk factors were present, balancing these in the direction of resilient outcomes was achieved by choosing to re-direct stress into positive narratives, drawing on inner agency, uptake of therapeutic activities, social support as well as faith and prayer and drawing comfort from religious community among other factors.ConclusionThe Loads-Levers-Lifts model is used to guide analysis to inform intervention designs. Levers promoting resilience through targeting therapies, workplace policies and awareness campaigns accounting for identified loads are proposed.

Dataset Information

When a child is hospitalized in a Covid-19 ward: An emotional roller coaster for parents.

Purpose

Background

Methods

Findings

Conclusion

Practical implications

Publications

When a child is hospitalized in a Covid-19 ward: An emotional roller coaster for parents.

Similar Datasets

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