Child-Centered Care: A Qualitative Study Exploring Pediatric Hospitalization Through Children’s Perspectives

<b>Background/Objectives</b>: Hospitalization can be stressful for children due to the influence of unfamiliar environments, separation from family, and interactions with healthcare professionals. This study aimed to explore children’s hospitalization experiences from a child-centered ca...

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Main Authors: Amalia Sillero Sillero, Raquel Ayuso Margañon, Elena Marques-Sule, María Gil Poisa
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-10-01
Series:Nursing Reports
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2039-4403/14/4/228
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author Amalia Sillero Sillero
Raquel Ayuso Margañon
Elena Marques-Sule
María Gil Poisa
author_facet Amalia Sillero Sillero
Raquel Ayuso Margañon
Elena Marques-Sule
María Gil Poisa
author_sort Amalia Sillero Sillero
collection DOAJ
description <b>Background/Objectives</b>: Hospitalization can be stressful for children due to the influence of unfamiliar environments, separation from family, and interactions with healthcare professionals. This study aimed to explore children’s hospitalization experiences from a child-centered care perspective to develop interventions that better meet their emotional and psychological needs. <b>Methods</b>: This qualitative study employed Husserl’s descriptive phenomenology to explore hospitalization experiences among children aged 9–13 years. Conducted at a primary health center in Spain from October 2022 to June 2023, the study used purposive sampling to select participants hospitalized within the past six months. Data were collected through in-depth interviews and children’s self-created drawings, analyzed using thematic analysis with ATLAS.ti software. <b>Results</b>: A total of 10 school-age children (five boys and five girls) were interviewed. Three main themes emerged: (1) Emotions and Feelings—children described fear, anxiety, and loneliness during their hospital stay; (2) Experiences of Pain and Discomfort—participants reported physical pain and discomfort; (3) Interactions with Medical Staff—children expressed a need for more detailed explanations and clearer communication. <b>Conclusions</b>: The findings highlight the importance of family-centered care and improved communication between healthcare providers and children. Strategies like art therapy and flexible visiting hours could provide better emotional support. Tailored communication to children’s developmental levels is crucial. Integrating these strategies into clinical practice could enhance the well-being of hospitalized children. Future research should focus on evaluating these interventions to improve pediatric care.
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spelling doaj-art-1a5df7c950f54081abda8044328fe8e52025-08-20T02:01:20ZengMDPI AGNursing Reports2039-439X2039-44032024-10-011443138314910.3390/nursrep14040228Child-Centered Care: A Qualitative Study Exploring Pediatric Hospitalization Through Children’s PerspectivesAmalia Sillero Sillero0Raquel Ayuso Margañon1Elena Marques-Sule2María Gil Poisa3Escoles Universitàries Gimbernat, Adscrites a Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08174 Sant Cugat, SpainSocial Determinants and Health Education Research Group (SDHEd), Hospital del Mar Research Institute, 08003 Barcelona, SpainPhysiotherapy in Motion, Multispeciality Research Group (PTin MOTION), Department of Physiotherapy, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, SpainSocial Determinants and Health Education Research Group (SDHEd), Hospital del Mar Research Institute, 08003 Barcelona, Spain<b>Background/Objectives</b>: Hospitalization can be stressful for children due to the influence of unfamiliar environments, separation from family, and interactions with healthcare professionals. This study aimed to explore children’s hospitalization experiences from a child-centered care perspective to develop interventions that better meet their emotional and psychological needs. <b>Methods</b>: This qualitative study employed Husserl’s descriptive phenomenology to explore hospitalization experiences among children aged 9–13 years. Conducted at a primary health center in Spain from October 2022 to June 2023, the study used purposive sampling to select participants hospitalized within the past six months. Data were collected through in-depth interviews and children’s self-created drawings, analyzed using thematic analysis with ATLAS.ti software. <b>Results</b>: A total of 10 school-age children (five boys and five girls) were interviewed. Three main themes emerged: (1) Emotions and Feelings—children described fear, anxiety, and loneliness during their hospital stay; (2) Experiences of Pain and Discomfort—participants reported physical pain and discomfort; (3) Interactions with Medical Staff—children expressed a need for more detailed explanations and clearer communication. <b>Conclusions</b>: The findings highlight the importance of family-centered care and improved communication between healthcare providers and children. Strategies like art therapy and flexible visiting hours could provide better emotional support. Tailored communication to children’s developmental levels is crucial. Integrating these strategies into clinical practice could enhance the well-being of hospitalized children. Future research should focus on evaluating these interventions to improve pediatric care.https://www.mdpi.com/2039-4403/14/4/228pediatric hospitalizationchild anxietyfamily-centered carethematic analysispatient experiencehealthcare communication
spellingShingle Amalia Sillero Sillero
Raquel Ayuso Margañon
Elena Marques-Sule
María Gil Poisa
Child-Centered Care: A Qualitative Study Exploring Pediatric Hospitalization Through Children’s Perspectives
Nursing Reports
pediatric hospitalization
child anxiety
family-centered care
thematic analysis
patient experience
healthcare communication
title Child-Centered Care: A Qualitative Study Exploring Pediatric Hospitalization Through Children’s Perspectives
title_full Child-Centered Care: A Qualitative Study Exploring Pediatric Hospitalization Through Children’s Perspectives
title_fullStr Child-Centered Care: A Qualitative Study Exploring Pediatric Hospitalization Through Children’s Perspectives
title_full_unstemmed Child-Centered Care: A Qualitative Study Exploring Pediatric Hospitalization Through Children’s Perspectives
title_short Child-Centered Care: A Qualitative Study Exploring Pediatric Hospitalization Through Children’s Perspectives
title_sort child centered care a qualitative study exploring pediatric hospitalization through children s perspectives
topic pediatric hospitalization
child anxiety
family-centered care
thematic analysis
patient experience
healthcare communication
url https://www.mdpi.com/2039-4403/14/4/228
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AT elenamarquessule childcenteredcareaqualitativestudyexploringpediatrichospitalizationthroughchildrensperspectives
AT mariagilpoisa childcenteredcareaqualitativestudyexploringpediatrichospitalizationthroughchildrensperspectives